55% increase in wind and solar in USA provides billions in immediate health benefits due to cleaner air

**Increasing use of renewable energy in US yields billions of dollars of benefits**

**New study published in Cell Reports Sustainability finds emission reductions provided $249bn of climate and health benefits**

The US has significantly boosted its use of renewable energy, leading to substantial reductions in planet-warming emissions and air pollution. This shift has yielded hundreds of billions of dollars in climate and health benefits, according to a new study published in Cell Reports Sustainability.

From 2019 to 2022, wind and solar energy generation in the US increased by about 55%, according to Dev Millstein, a scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. By 2022, these sources provided roughly 14% of the country’s electricity needs. This transition reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 900 million metric tons, equivalent to taking 71 million cars off the road annually.

Beyond climate benefits, the reduction in fossil fuel use has led to significant improvements in air quality. The study, conducted by researchers from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Clean Kilowatts, quantified reductions in sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), harmful pollutants linked to asthma and other health issues. Emissions of these pollutants decreased by 1 million metric tons over the three-year period.

Using air quality models and epidemiological research, the authors tracked exposure to pollution from power plants and calculated the health benefits. The reduction in SO2 and NOx emissions provided $249 billion in climate and health benefits, a figure Millstein described as “noteworthy.”

The study also highlighted regional benefits, noting that wind power is particularly advantageous in the Central states, and solar power in the Carolinas. Jeremiah Johnson, a climate and energy professor at North Carolina State University, praised the research for its potential to guide future renewable energy development to maximize climate and health benefits.

**These findings emphasize the immediate and significant health improvements from increased renewable energy use, encouraging public recognition of the benefits already being realized.**