January 18, 2002—A new analysis of federal government data collected since 1970 reveals dramatic U.S. air quality improvements even as the nation experienced an equally dramatic rise in energy consumption.
“Government data show that over the past three decades Americans have experienced increasingly healthier air and tremendous economic expansion powered by greater energy consumption,” said Foundation for Clean Air Progress (FCAP) President William D. Fay.
The study, titled “Breathing Easier about Energy: A Healthy Economy and Healthier Air,” was produced by Energy and Environmental Analysis, Inc. (EEA) for FCAP, a non-profit, nonpartisan organization providing information about air quality progress.
The analysis tracks air quality gains and energy consumption during the 30-year period from 1970-1999. It is derived solely from data produced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Energy Information Administration (EIA) of the U.S. Department of Energy. The nationwide data show that since 1970:
- Carbon monoxide (CO) levels have dropped 28 percent;
- Sulfur dioxide (SO2) levels have decreased 39 percent;
- Volatile organic compound (VOC) levels have declined 42 percent;
- Particulate matter (PM-10) levels have fallen 75 percent;
- Airborne lead levels have declined 98 percent; and
- Overall energy consumption has increased 41 percent—by sectors, commercial energy consumption grew by 80 percent, transportation energy 64 percent, residential energy by 34 percent, and industrial energy consumption by 21 percent.
The only pollutant that increased overall during the 30-year period was nitrogen oxide (NOx), which rose by 22 percent, about one-half the rate of energy consumption.
The study’s state-by-state analysis tracks air quality and energy consumption during the 15-year period of 1985 to 1999. The data were drawn from the National Emission Trends (NET) database which is available on EPA’s AIRData website.
For more information about the study, including national and state-by-state data, contact FCAP.
