Grantee Research Project Results
Drivers of Energy Service Transitions and Impacts on Well-being in Forest Dependent Rural Communities
EPA Grant Number: R840564Title: Drivers of Energy Service Transitions and Impacts on Well-being in Forest Dependent Rural Communities
Investigators: Schelly, Chelsea Lynn , Perlinger, Judith , Dyreson, Ana , Apriesnig, Jenny , Green, Sarah , Wu, Shiliang , Guo, Jiehong , Bohac, Dave , Shen, Lester
Current Investigators: Schelly, Chelsea Lynn , Perlinger, Judith , Dyreson, Ana , Apriesnig, Jenny , Green, Sarah , Guo, Jiehong , Wu, Shiliang , Bohac, Dave , Quinnell, Josh , Shen, Lester
Institution: Michigan Technological University , Center for Energy and Environment
EPA Project Officer: Chung, Serena
Project Period: July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2027
Project Amount: $1,124,999
RFA: Drivers and Environmental Impacts of Energy Transitions in Underserved Communities. (2022) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Air Quality and Air Toxics , Environmental Justice , Social Science , Tribal Environmental Health Research , Air
Objective:
The objective of the study is to analyze pathways for energy transitions that enhance well-being in underserved communities through improved public health, economic opportunity, and energy justice outcomes.
Approach:
The study employs interdisciplinary research grounded in community engaged approaches. Research design includes a) an air quality study to assess the impacts from a local energy generation facility that uses a mix of fuels, primarily wood, paper, plastic, and tire-derived; b) assessments of the indoor air quality (IAQ) impacts of fuelwood use, energy efficiency improvements, and beneficial electrification; c) social science research to assess impacts and identify drivers for energy transitions at the residential, industrial, and community scales, and d) economic and energy modeling to evaluate the impacts of transition scenarios. Air quality studies will test three hypotheses: i: people who live closer to the energy generation facility are exposed to a greater variety and higher concentrations of toxic gases and particles; ii. local ambient concentrations of air pollutants vary depending on which fuel type is combusted by the energy generation facility; and iii. people are additively exposed to toxic
gases and particles in higher concentrations from indoor stove wood burning, indoor cooking, and tobacco smoke. By carrying out Task 1, the project will quantify and evaluate the impacts of current energy generation within a rural, northern, forest dependent community. Task 2 will examine drivers of energy transitions in fuelwood use, efficiency, and beneficial electrification and assess impacts of those transitions. Task 3 will evaluate pathways for integration into the regional electrical grid that include decarbonization, support existing manufacturing industry, and address well-being for underserved communities in a forest dependent rural community.
Expected Results:
In addition to contributions to the scientific community, project findings will be disseminated through accessible reports that allow decision makers to holistically assess risks associated with current energy generation, potential pathways for transitions that support community priorities, and opportunities for other rural, forest dependent communities.
Supplemental Keywords:
human health; socio-economics; decision making; Great LakesProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.