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Canary in a Coal Mine: Infant Mortality and Tradeoffs Associated with Mid-20th Century Air Pollution

Author

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  • Karen Clay

    (Carnegie Mellon University and NBER)

  • Joshua Lewis

    (University of Montreal)

  • Edson Severnini

    (Carnegie Mellon, IZA and NBER)

Abstract

This paper examines the health tradeoffs associated with the historical expansion in coal-fired electricity generation in the United States. We combine newly digitized data on all major coal-fired power plants for the period 1938–1962 with two complementary difference-in-differences strategies. Coal-fired plants imposed large negative health externalities that were partially offset by the benefits of local electricity generation. The health impacts varied widely according to initial electricity access and evolved as the stock of generating capacity expanded over the sample period. These findings highlight the importance of accounting for both current and future payoffs when designing environmental regulation.

Suggested Citation

  • Karen Clay & Joshua Lewis & Edson Severnini, 2024. "Canary in a Coal Mine: Infant Mortality and Tradeoffs Associated with Mid-20th Century Air Pollution," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 106(3), pages 698-711, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:tpr:restat:v:106:y:2024:i:3:p:698-711
    DOI: 10.1162/rest_a_01218
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