Air Quality Monitoring Grants (American Rescue Plan Act)
Federal Agency
Sub-Department
Ambient Monitoring Technology Information Center
Purpose
Air Quality Monitoring Grants (American Rescue Plan Act)
Applicant and/or Project Eligibility Requirements
Eligible entities include state, local, and tribal air pollution control agencies, and community groups. Other potential grantees under statute include other public or nonprofit private agencies, institutions, and organizations.
Decarbonization Considerations
Decarbonization strategies may include air quality monitoring and pollution prevention at sources which are a source of greenhouse gases and criteria air pollutants, including fossil-fuel electric generating sources and industrial facilities.
Equity Considerations
Goals of the grant competition for community air monitoring include those that: 1) expand use of community monitoring advisory groups and other approaches that give the community a voice in the monitoring of their air quality; and 2) build a foundation of trusting relationships and enhanced understanding from which sustainable solutions to community pollution problems can be found. The PM2.5 continuous monitoring grants are designed to support monitoring in and near communities with environmental justice concerns who face disproportionate exposure to these pollutants and health risks, which are also associated with increased vulnerability to COVID-19.
Helpful Tips
For further information on Clean Air Act Sec. 103 and 105 grants, please see the following: https://www.epa.gov/clean-air-act-overview/clean-air-act-title-i-air-pollution-prevention-and-control-parts-through-d https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2021-04/documents/tribal_grants_presentation_0.pdf
Other Notes
One-time funding increase from American Rescue Plan Act. Further information released July 7, 2021. The major components of the $50M funding to enhance air monitoring include: a grants competition that will seek proposals from community groups and state, Tribal and local government air agencies; direct awards to air agencies for continuous monitoring of small particles (known as PM2.5 or soot) and other Clean Air Act pollutants; enhanced capacity for short-term community monitoring; and support to administer the funding. It is unclear whether this program will continue past American Rescue Plan Act funding.