Transforming the United States’ energy systems and setting the country on a path to net-zero emissions by midcentury is a lofty goal.

But now, with the publication of the Net-Zero America (NZA) study, researchers at Princeton University have provided the country with a roadmap that makes the goal that much closer to reality.

The newly published report is an update to the Net-Zero America interim report released in December 2020. It includes a new digital tool that gives policymakers and other state-level stakeholders access to the data to inform local decisions. These data can be used to answer a host of questions, including: How many premature deaths due to road-vehicle air pollution will be avoided? How much capital needs to be invested in new transmission lines? And how many jobs will be lost and gained in the energy sector across the country?

The report provides a gauge to understand how various emissions-reducing strategies are likely to affect jobs, health, land use and other factors critical to U.S. residents.

“Our study shows that a transformation to net-zero is possible by 2050, affordable, and brings economic and health benefits across the country,” said author Jesse Jenkins, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering.