Air pollution remains a major health risk across the nation despite major improvements in U.S. air quality since the passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970. Worldwide air pollution is the leading environmental risk to human health, and rivals all health risk factors, including malnutrition, alcohol use, and smoking. Technology improvements such as catalytic converters, particulate filters, and stack scrubbers have yielded vast health benefits, but challenges remain.
Regulated industries face increasingly high marginal control costs, while epidemiological research suggests that tighter standards are needed to protect public health. And, for the first time, state regulators must control carbon dioxide along with traditional pollutants. Unlike other air pollutants, carbon does not lend itself to end-of-pipe emission control options. Instead, carbon control necessitates large-scale changes to our energy system, especially electricity production, transportation, and our built environment.
The 2015 Energy Summit will tackle the challenges that industry, regulators, and the public face in meeting goals for clean air and reliable energy. We will focus on health-damaging air pollutants and carbon emissions, discussing trade-offs for our energy future, and win-win opportunities. To build a lively discussion and reflect diverse perspectives, each session will include a moderator and three speakers, one each representing regulator, regulated industry, and research perspectives.
Topics
- The Clean Power Plan
- Meeting the New Ozone Standard
- U.S. Air Pollution ?Beyond the Borders
- Can Satellite Data Support Air Regulation
- Buildings and Energy
- Balancing Energy Goals
- Emerging Role of Biofuels