A school bus passing by smoke stacks

Enhanced Air Quality Monitoring for Communities

“Through the American Rescue Plan, Congress and the President entrusted EPA with critical funding to help those who are hurting from pollution and the pandemic. Today, we are partnering with our state, Tribal, and local leaders to invest in projects that will improve air quality in communities overburdened by high levels of pollution.”

Administrator Michael S. Regan.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced  the largest investment for community air monitoring in EPA history  on November 3, 2022. Air monitoring projects in 37 states will receive $53.4 million from President Biden’s  Inflation Reduction Act  and  American Rescue Plan . These funds will enhance air quality monitoring in communities across the United States. EPA selected projects focused on communities that are underserved, historically marginalized, and overburdened by pollution, supporting President Biden’s commitment to environmental justice.

In spring 2021, Congress passed the American Rescue Plan, providing EPA with a one-time supplemental appropriation of $100 million to address health outcome disparities from pollution and the COVID-19 pandemic.  Of that $100 million, EPA dedicated $50 million for  environmental justice projects  and the other $50M to  improving air pollution monitoring  in communities across the United States.

On December 13, 2021, EPA announced the  availability of $20 million in American Rescue Plan funding  through competitive grants to enhance ambient air quality monitoring in and near underserved communities across the United States.

 In August 2022, Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which provided additional funding to EPA for community air monitoring programs and grants.   This allowed EPA to expand the initial intended $20M award and fund 77 additional projects, for a total of $53.4 million across 132 projects.

In 2021 and 2022, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan embarked on a  Journey to Justice tour  to spotlight longstanding environmental justice concerns in overburdened and underserved communities.  Using American Rescue Plan and Inflation Reduction Act funding, EPA’s air quality actions continue our commitment to environmental justice, protecting human health and the environment for all people where they live, work, worship, and play.

Selected Projects: Enhanced Air Quality Monitoring Competitive Grants

At this point in the grant process, EPA has reviewed applications and selected projects to receive funding. EPA project officers are actively assisting the selected applicants with their pre-award requirements ahead of distributing the funds.

Use the interactive map below to see information for each project as of November 2022 when selections were announced. Click on the marked locations to learn more about the applicant and their planned community monitoring project.