Nearly 47 million Americans at risk of health hazards from fossil fuel infrastructure, study finds

Key Concepts

• Fossil Fuel Infrastructure: Facilities involved in the extraction, processing, storage, transportation, and end-use of fossil fuels.
• Air Pollution Emissions: Pollutants released into the atmosphere during the extraction and burning of fossil fuels.
• Health Hazards: Negative impacts on human health associated with exposure to pollutants from fossil fuel facilities.
• Midstream Infrastructure: Facilities involved in the storage and transportation of fossil fuels (e.g., pipelines, storage tanks).
• Aliso Canyon Well Blowout: A significant methane leak incident that highlighted health impacts on nearby communities.
• Environmental Justice: The principle that all people, regardless of race or socioeconomic status, should have equal protection from environmental hazards.

Study Findings on Fossil Fuel Infrastructure Exposure

1. Scope of Exposure:

• A study by Boston University researchers found that 46.6 million people in the U.S., approximately 14.1% of the U.S. population, live within a mile of some form of fossil fuel infrastructure.

2. Categorization of Infrastructure: The study segmented fossil fuel infrastructure into five categories:

• End Use: Facilities like power plants.
• Extraction: Operations such as oil and gas wells and coal mines.
• Storage Facilities: Sites for storing fossil fuels.
• Transportation: Infrastructure associated with pipelines.
• Processing: Plants like refineries and gas processing facilities.

3. Disparities in Exposure:

• The research revealed substantial disparities in exposure across the entire fossil fuel supply chain.
• Specifically, the study found inequities in exposure among minority populations and in more urban areas.

4. Health Impacts and Knowledge Gaps:

• It is known that fossil fuel facilities pose health hazards, primarily due to air pollution emissions and other pathways.
• However, these health impacts are not well characterized, particularly for midstream infrastructure (storage and transportation).
• There is a significant lack of understanding regarding potential health impacts from these facilities, which may not be currently factored into policy decisions.

5. Long-Term Implications of New Infrastructure:

• New fossil fuel infrastructure is built to last for decades.
• Consequently, the associated health impacts are also locked in for decades, meaning communities living nearby must contend with these issues for the lifetime of the facility.

Case Study: Aliso Canyon Well Blowout

• Event: The Aliso Canyon well blowout, which occurred nearly ten years prior to the transcript, serves as a prominent example.
• Impact: This incident led to the evacuation of many people and the emission of a significant amount of methane. The methane released was equivalent to over half a million cars driving for a year.
• Community Health Effects: Communities near the facility experienced symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.
• Research Follow-up: A study released a few weeks prior to the transcript indicated an increased rate of [health issues, implied] in communities near the facility during the blowout. This event underscored the realization that numerous similar facilities exist.

Implications for Fossil Fuel Policy

• Informing Policy: The study's findings on exposure and disparities should be used to guide fossil fuel policy.
• Addressing Unknowns: Policymakers need to acknowledge the existing knowledge gaps regarding health impacts, especially from midstream infrastructure, and consider these unknowns when developing regulations.
• Long-Term Planning: The long lifespan of fossil fuel infrastructure necessitates careful consideration of the enduring health consequences for surrounding communities.

Conclusion

The Boston University study highlights a critical public health issue: a significant portion of the U.S. population lives in close proximity to fossil fuel infrastructure, with minority and urban communities disproportionately affected. The research underscores the need for better characterization of health impacts, particularly from midstream operations, and emphasizes that decisions about new infrastructure have long-lasting health consequences for communities. The Aliso Canyon incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential health risks associated with these facilities. These findings necessitate a more informed and equitable approach to fossil fuel policy.