US megadrought has led to more air pollution from power plants

The ongoing drought in the western US depleted reservoirs and reduced hydropower generation. Fossil fuel power plants filled the gap but that has led to increased air pollution.  Water levels at reservoirs in the western US have hit record lows, diminishing the amount of energy generated at dams. Fossil fuel power plants are filling the gap – leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution during the region’s megadrought.

Both sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions contribute to a harmful type of pollution called PM2.5.  These particles can penetrate deep into lung tissues and are responsible for most deaths from air pollution.
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35% increase in electricity from fossil fuels during dry spells in California.