LOCAETA: Local Climate and Air Quality Emissions Tracking Atlas

Urban air pollution is associated with a range of detrimental health effects, including respiratory and car- diovascular diseases and cancer. There are tremendous disparities in the distribution of these health im- pacts, with disadvantaged communities suffering greater burdens. At the same time, climate change pre- sents a global concern. There is an opportunity to address these two challenges simultaneously. Decarbon- ization has the potential to provide air quality co-benefits, but stakeholders and decision-makers find it hard to quantify the impacts of these co-benefits that will accrue to the most affected communities. To address this problem, the Local Climate and Air Emissions Tracking Atlas (LOCAETA) will quantify and transparently demonstrate the effects on air quality from multiple decarbonization options, e.g., car- bon capture, electrification, and fuel-switching. Each comes with unique challenges and potential exter- nalities related to air quality. LOCAETA merges modeling, statistical/machine learning-based analysis, and public health impact assessments using datasets including satellite and in situ measurements, emis- sions, and public health and environmental justice information. LOCAETAĺs powerful analytical results will be packaged in an easy-to-use map-based interface that in- cludes plain language summaries and descriptions of uncertainties. The decarbonization menu will allow the user to select among options for facilities in their communities to see associated air quality benefits. We developed a free, publicly-available minimum viable product of the LOCAETA Data Explorer, focus- ing on Louisiana and PM2.5; performed modeling of pollutant transport from industrial emitters; began statistical analysis to combine the modeling, emissions, and air quality data; performed an assessment of carbon capture for Louisiana industrial and power facilities to identify promising retrofit opportunities; and conducted interviews with likely users and environmental justice community members to confirm the critical need for a product like LOCAETA to fill existing data gaps. We will expand the free Data Explorer to be nationwide and include more pollutants. We will also con- duct local projects based on paid partnerships with specific urban communities, applying high-resolution modeling and machine learning to characterize areas affected by industrial sources at a neighborhood lev- el. We will work with disadvantaged communities, regulators, and other future users to solicit feedback. There is a robust market for decarbonization technologies, and we find the air quality co-benefits are an emerging concern based on market research interviews. Our letters of support represent an array of poten- tial customers: the decarbonization industry, regulators, researchers, nonprofits, and the financial industry. Due to the impact of air quality on public health, decisions informed by LOCAETA data could improve and save lives while helping the U.S. achieve its decarbonization goals.