Helena Joyce
Natural gas power plants emit harmful pollutants, including nitrogen oxides (NOx), which have been linked to a range of adverse health effects, from respiratory illnesses to an increased rate of childhood asthma. While natural gas may be cleaner than coal, it still produces significant air pollution, which can spread far beyond the immediate vicinity of the plant. This is a particular concern for marginalized communities, which are disproportionately affected by the negative impacts of gas power plants. These communities, often comprising racial and ethnic minorities and low-income residents, bear the brunt of harmful air, water, and land pollution. The inequitable distribution of polluting infrastructure is a legacy of racism and housing discrimination. As such, the impacts of gas power plant emissions can be felt both locally and many miles away, affecting air quality in communities near and far.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Distance of spread of pollution | The impact of power plant emissions can be felt locally and many miles away |
| Communities affected | Communities of color and low-income communities |
| Health impact | Respiratory illnesses, increased childhood asthma rates, higher-risk pregnancies, and pre-term births |
| Environmental impact | Waterways, wildlife ecosystems, drinking water supplies, wildlife habitats, tribal cultural sites, soil quality |
| Pollutants | Nitrogen oxides (NOx) |
| Power Plants and Mapping Tools | The Power Plants and Neighboring Communities Mapping Tool helps identify communities that may be exposed to pollution from power plants |
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What You'll Learn
- Marginalised communities are disproportionately harmed by gas power plants
- Gas power plants emit harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx)
- Gas infrastructure also contaminates water supplies
- Air pollution from power plants can travel long distances
- Socioeconomic data helps identify communities exposed to air pollution
Marginalised communities are disproportionately harmed by gas power plants
Several studies have found that polluting infrastructure, including gas power plants, is disproportionately sited in communities of colour and low-income communities. For example, in New England, there is a significantly higher percentage of people of colour living within 6 miles of a power plant when compared to white residents in the area. Similarly, a higher percentage of people living in poverty reside within 5 miles of a power plant than their wealthier counterparts. This pattern is also observed in California, where nearly half of the state's gas power plants are located in communities that are among the most disadvantaged.
The reasons for this disparity are rooted in a legacy of racism and housing discrimination, which has forced racial and ethnic minorities, as well as poorer individuals, to live in areas with polluting infrastructure. As a result, these marginalised communities bear the brunt of harmful air, water, and land impacts. Gas power plants emit nitrogen oxides (NOx) during combustion, degrading local air quality. Exposure to NOx and other gas infrastructure air pollutants has been linked to respiratory illnesses and increased childhood asthma rates. In addition, producing, transporting, and burning gas can contaminate waterways, compromising drinking water supplies and wildlife ecosystems.
The impacts of gas power plants on public health and the environment have largely been ignored by state and federal officials. Government policies often exempt gas developers from responsibility for cleaning up their pollution. Additionally, the oil and gas industry has received substantial financial support in the form of federal tax breaks and subsidies. This has perpetuated the disproportionate harm inflicted on marginalised communities, who already possess weak adaptive capacities to address these issues.
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Gas power plants emit harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx)
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are a group of harmful gases that include nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). They are emitted by natural gas power plants and other stationary sources, as well as mobile sources like vehicles. While emissions from natural gas power plants account for only a fraction of total NOx emissions, they can still have significant impacts on air quality and human health.
NOx emissions from natural gas power plants can linger in nearby communities, affecting air quality and leading to serious health problems for residents. Certain communities, such as those in California, are disproportionately affected by these emissions due to the concentration of natural gas power plants in socioeconomically and environmentally disadvantaged areas. Additionally, natural gas power plants emit varying amounts of NOx depending on their operational stage, with start-up periods resulting in three to seven times more NOx emissions compared to one hour of full-load operation.
The environmental and health impacts of NOx are concerning. NOx contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone, which is a major cause of severe respiratory issues. Furthermore, NOx can react to form airborne nitrate particles or acid aerosols, which have similar detrimental effects on respiratory health. When NOx reacts to form nitrous oxide (N2O), it also contributes to global warming as a greenhouse gas.
To address the issue of NOx emissions, various methods have been proposed, such as the installation of SCR (selective catalytic reduction) systems in IGCC power plants. These systems utilize a platinum catalyst to remove NOx and other harmful substances like CO from the gas turbine exhaust. However, this technology comes with challenges, including increased parasitic power consumption and higher installation costs.
While the power sector has made significant progress in reducing pollutants over the past two decades, NOx emissions from natural gas power plants remain a critical concern. The impacts of these emissions are not limited to areas immediately adjacent to the plants but can spread over long distances, affecting communities both locally and many miles away. As a result, there is a continued need for effective strategies to mitigate NOx emissions and protect the health and well-being of communities vulnerable to air pollution from gas power plants.
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Gas infrastructure also contaminates water supplies
The impacts of power plant emissions are not limited to the areas immediately surrounding a plant. Air pollution can travel over long distances, and so the air quality in a community can be impacted by sources many miles away.
Another example is the Sabal Trail, a 515-mile pipeline that transports fracked gas from Alabama, through Georgia, to Florida. The construction of this pipeline destroyed farmland and contaminated water. A Georgia farmer reported that the pipeline construction ruined more than 40 acres of topsoil on his farm and reduced his crop yield by more than half.
The process of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) produces large amounts of wastewater, which may contain dissolved chemicals and other contaminants that require treatment before disposal or reuse. If mismanaged, hydraulic fracturing fluid—which may contain potentially hazardous chemicals—could be released through spills, leaks, or faulty well construction, contaminating surrounding areas. Well failure at production sites can also create major problems for the 17 million Americans who live within a mile of one of these wells.
Disposal wells are usually considered environmentally sound solutions for managing oilfield wastewater, but site-level malfunctions and improperly permitted disposal wells can contaminate groundwater. Releasing wastewater onto roads, land, and waterways can cause significant contamination if the water is not treated to meet quality standards.
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Air pollution from power plants can travel long distances
Air pollution from power plants, including gas power plants, can indeed travel long distances. While natural gas is often considered "cleaner" than other fossil fuels, natural gas power plants still produce significant air pollution, which can spread far beyond the immediate vicinity of the plant. This is particularly concerning as gas plants are disproportionately located in communities of colour and low-income communities, who bear the brunt of the harmful impacts on air, water, and land.
Natural gas power plants emit nitrogen oxides (NOx) during combustion, which degrade air quality. NOx has been linked to respiratory problems and an increase in childhood asthma rates. It also reacts with other substances in the air to produce particulate matter and ozone, which are associated with a range of adverse health outcomes, including shortness of breath, heart attacks, and premature death. Some of the highest-polluting natural gas power plants emit over 100 tons of NOx per year.
The impact of power plant emissions is not limited to the area immediately surrounding the plant. Air pollution can travel many miles, affecting communities both locally and at a distance. This means that the air quality in a community can be impacted by far-distant sources, as well as those sited nearby. The US EPA's Power Plants and Neighbouring Communities Mapping Tool helps identify communities that may be exposed to air pollution from power plants, both in the immediate vicinity and those farther downwind.
The Union of Concerned Scientists has highlighted the disproportionate impact of gas power plants on marginalized communities. For example, in New England, a higher percentage of people of colour live within 6 miles of a power plant compared to white residents. Additionally, Dominion Energy in Virginia is planning to build a large gas plant in an area with a high percentage of residents who are people of colour and low-income, adding to existing industrial pollution in the area.
Government policies and tax breaks have been criticized for letting gas developers off the hook for cleaning up their pollution, with taxpayers bearing the cost of monitoring and remediation. There is also concern that natural gas power plant pollution may worsen in the coming years, as a recent study predicts an increase in start-up frequency, which could lead to higher NOx emissions during the start-up process.
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Socioeconomic data helps identify communities exposed to air pollution
The impact of power plant emissions is not limited to the area immediately surrounding the plant. Air pollution can travel long distances, affecting communities both locally and many miles away. Socioeconomic data is crucial for identifying communities exposed to air pollution, as it reveals underlying patterns of environmental inequality.
Socioeconomic status (SES) is a significant factor in determining exposure to air pollution. Research in North America has consistently shown that low SES communities experience higher concentrations of air pollutants. Similar trends have been observed in Asia, Africa, and other parts of the world, although research in these regions is more limited. In contrast, European research has yielded mixed results, with other environmental hazards, such as noise, second-hand smoke, and housing-related indicators, also contributing to environmental inequality.
The triple jeopardy hypothesis highlights the heightened vulnerability of low SES communities. Firstly, they face higher exposure to air pollutants and environmental hazards. Secondly, they are more susceptible to poor health due to psychosocial stressors, limited opportunities for health-promoting behaviors, and poorer baseline health status. Lastly, these factors result in health disparities driven by environmental factors.
Socioeconomic data, such as race/ethnicity, income, age, language, and education, can be utilized through tools like the Power Plants and Neighboring Community Mapping Tool in the US. This tool helps identify communities potentially exposed to power plant emissions, providing insights into the socioeconomic indicators of these communities.
Additionally, studies have found that racial and ethnic minority groups, particularly African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians, are disproportionately exposed to air pollution, regardless of income level or region. This disparity is attributed to systemic racism and housing policies that have historically pushed people of color into areas with higher pollution levels.
Socioeconomic data is essential for identifying at-risk communities, informing policies, and addressing environmental injustices. By understanding the socioeconomic dimensions of air pollution exposure, we can work towards creating a more equitable and healthy environment for all.
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Frequently asked questions
Air pollution from gas power plants can spread far beyond the immediate vicinity of the plant. It can travel over long distances, impacting communities both locally and many miles away.
Exposure to nitrogen oxides (NOx) and other gas infrastructure air pollutants has been linked to respiratory illnesses, an increase in childhood asthma rates, and other serious health problems.
Yes, marginalized communities, including communities of color and low-income communities, are disproportionately harmed by gas power plant pollution due to discriminatory housing policies and the inequitable siting of polluting infrastructure.
Producing, transporting, and burning gas can contaminate waterways, compromising drinking water supplies and wildlife ecosystems. This water contamination has also been linked to higher-risk pregnancies and pre-term births.
Efforts are being made to transition away from natural gas and towards cleaner energy sources. However, government policies and tax breaks have been criticized for letting gas developers off the hook for cleaning up their pollution, and for exempting them from key environmental laws.
