Coal-fired power generation and student achievement : The case of Gran Concepción

Abstract

This paper shows the impact that air pollution from coal-fired power plants has on school achievement and attendance in Southern Chile. To identify causality, we leverage monthly variation in power generation and temporary plant openings and closures in combination with rich individual student data from standardized tests and monthly school attendance. We found plant openings led to lower mathematics and lecture test scores among fourth-grade students of schools within 25 kilometers of distance from these plants. Our results also show strong evidence of the negative effects of coal-based plant generation on school attendance. Our findings document the impact of proximity to coal-fired power generation beyond the health dimension.