Progressive pollution policies save lives AND money
The Guardian recently reported on a study that showed early deaths from air pollution in the US could be reduced by between 4,000 and 15,000 a year by 2035. In Utah, air pollution causes between 2,500 and 8,000 premature deaths each year and takes around 2 years off our life expectancy.
The study and The Guardian article focus on decarbonizing our energy system—reducing carbon emissions to net zero. This study found that switching to cleaner energy sources significantly reduces fine particle pollution (PM₂.₅), which is linked to heart and lung diseases. By 2035, this cleaner air could save thousands of lives and $65–$128 billion annually in health costs in the U.S.
Health expenses from air pollution cost Utah an estimated $2 billion annually.
A report of the BYU study that found the Utah costs writes “Even though the estimates of cost in this study are on the low end of national estimates, which range up to $9 billion a year for Utah, they are still much higher than figures commonly discussed in the legislature. For example, approximately $10 million was appropriated to clean Utah’s air this year, representing only 0.1% to 0.5% of air pollution costs.
The mismatch between the size of the problem and the proposed solutions emphasizes one of the study’s central findings: cleaning the air could have immense health and economic benefits for Utah. The authors combined their estimates of cost with the air pollution goals from the recent Utah Roadmap to Clean Air. If Utah achieves the roadmap’s pollution reduction targets, Utah will save $500 million per year by 2030 and $1.1 billion per year by 2050.”
Most pathways to net zero show big health benefits. However, some technologies, like biomass or carbon capture for fossil fuels, could still pollute locally, so we need to be thoughtful about the energy solutions we choose.
Decarbonization isn’t just about tackling climate change—it’s a direct investment in Utahns’ health and economic well-being. By committing to proven pollution control measures and embracing clean energy, we can create a healthier, more prosperous future for everyone in our state.