Fossil Fuel Infrastructure Could Endanger Health Of 47 Million Americans

A Boston University study says that the sprawling
U.S. fossil fuel industry presents health risks
 to nearly 47 million Americans.

Just the infrastructure that supports our massive diet of fossil fuels is endangering the health of 47 million Americans, a Boston University study has concluded. 

According to phys.org

"Between the initial extraction site and the final power-generating facility, oil and gas are also refined to remove impurities, held in storage facilities, and transported from place to place. These mid-supply chain steps occur in a sprawling fossil fuel infrastructure network that spans the United States and is often hidden from plain sight.

A new study by Boston University researchers offers a first-tine look at populations living with 1.6 km (roughly a mile) of fossil fuel infrastructure across all stages of the supply chain. Published in Environmental Research Letters, the study estimates that 46.6 million people in the contiguous U.S. live within about a mile of at least one piece of fossil fuel infrastructure. This represents 14.1% of the population."

If you break down and separate the villains, it goes like this: Nearly 21 million Americans live near end-use facilities like power plants. More than 20 million people live near extraction sites, like gas and oil wells. 

More than six million people live near storage facilities like underground gas storage facilities and petroleum product terminals. About 9 million people live near more than one of these categories of fossil fuel installations. 

As was well known already, mostly people of color are exposed to various parts of the fossil fuel supply chain. And, also seemingly obviously, urban dwellers more than rural people. 

Boston University says the study helps bring a greater understanding of the size and scope of fossil fuel infrastructure risks, and also provides clues as to which people are exposed to which hazards.

This will also help with planning where to put more infrastructure, or where to remove it if possible. For instance, storage is risker for more people than extraction. On average, about 2,900 people live within a mile of a single set of storage tanks and that sort of thing. By contrast, a single piece of an extraction setup, like an oil well or fracking operation, has only 17 nearby inhabitants.

The risks can come in many forms. There could be an oil or gas leak. Or pollution from a petrochemical plant. Or a railroad derailment. 

Obviously, pretty much every industry carries some risk to nearby residents. In every industry, there are good, honest players and others who cut corners for profit, no matter the risk to the public. I'm sure there are bad actors in the clean energy field, too. 

But this study is just yet another example of why we should find ways to wean ourselves away from fossil fuel as alternative methods are found.