Everyone deserves to live in a safe, clean environment with access to healthy air. But for too many, air pollution from fossil fuel power plants and refineries makes this a challenge. Exposure to pollution harms the lungs, heart, and overall well-being—and is often worse in low-income neighborhoods near industrial areas.
In this final installment of our Empowering Electrification series, we’ll explore how electrification plays a critical role in improving public health and creating cleaner, healthier communities for everyone.
How Fossil Fuels Harm Our Health
When fossil fuels are burned, they release harmful chemicals into the air, like tiny particles (PM2.5), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and other pollutants. Breathing in this pollution can cause asthma, lung disease, heart problems, and other health challenges, leading to poorer quality of life and reduced life expectancy. As we move toward a clean energy future, electrification is a key solution for improving air quality and protecting public health.
Electrification: A Cleaner and Safer Solution
Electrification simply means replacing appliances and equipment that run on gas or oil with ones that run on electricity. It intersects with many industries, including transportation, energy, commercial, and residential sectors. Switching to electric vehicles (EVs), using renewable energy, and replacing gas-powered stoves and heaters with electric alternatives are just a few ways electrification can reduce pollution and improve air quality.
Electrification helps improve public health in many ways:
- Cleaner Indoor Air: Gas stoves and heaters release pollutants that can cause breathing problems, especially for children and seniors. Electric appliances eliminate these emissions, leading to better indoor air quality.
- Less Outdoor Air Pollution: Power plants and vehicles that burn fossil fuels produce smog and soot, which can contribute to respiratory diseases. By using clean electricity, we can reduce this pollution and help everyone breathe easier.
- Fewer Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Burning gas and oil contributes to climate change, leading to more extreme heat and wildfires—both of which harm public health. Electrification helps cut these emissions, creating healthier communities.
How MCE is Advancing Clean Energy for Healthier Communities
MCE is committed to improving public health by advancing clean energy solutions. Here’s how:
- Expanding Access to Renewable Energy: With 60-100% renewable electricity options, residents and businesses in MCE’s service area are reducing reliance on fossil fuels by choosing power from clean, local sources like wind and solar.
- Helping Homes and Businesses Go Electric: Through efficiency programs and rebates, MCE makes it easier for residents and businesses to upgrade to energy-saving electric appliances that lower emissions and improve air quality.
- Supporting Electric Vehicles: By offering EV charging incentives, MCE is making electric vehicles more accessible while reducing pollution from transportation—the largest source of emissions in California.
- Investing in Community Partnerships: MCE collaborates with local organizations to drive community-led solutions for a more sustainable and equitable future. These partnerships help address climate challenges, expand clean energy access, and provide educational opportunities. By engaging directly with communities, MCE ensures programs reflect local needs.
- Building Energy Resiliency: Through the Energy Storage Program, MCE helps vulnerable communities install battery storage systems, ensuring cleaner, more reliable power during outages.
A Brighter, Healthier Future
Electrification is more than just a smart energy choice—it’s a way to protect people’s health and well-being. By reducing reliance on polluting power plants and gas appliances while switching to clean electric technologies, we can create safer, healthier communities where everyone can breathe easier. Together, we can build a future where clean air and good health are accessible to everyone.
