Richmond Leader

Washington, D.C. – On June 20, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) joined Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL) in introducing the Technology Assessment for Air Quality Management Act to expand the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) air quality monitoring capabilities. 

According to the American Lung Association’s 2023 State of the Air report, more than one in three Americans – 119.6 million people – live in places with failing grades for unhealthy levels of ozone and particle pollution. Particle pollution can increase the risk of heart disease, lung cancer, and asthma attacks.

“Every American deserves the right to breathe clean air, yet far too many live in areas with dangerously high levels of air pollution,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “As we continue efforts to advance environmental justice and protect public health, we must invest the necessary resources to empower our federal agencies to monitor local air quality accurately and effectively. I am proud to build on Donald McEachin’s legacy and co-lead the Technology Assessment for Air Quality Management Act with Congresswoman Blunt Rochester to take another important step in our fight for clean air for every American.  

“Air pollution is a matter of public health and environmental justice,” said Rep. Blunt Rochester (D-Del.). “That’s why I’m so proud to lead the reintroduction of the bicameral Technology Assessment for Air Quality Management Act – legislation that was championed by the late Rep. Donald McEachin of Virginia – to strengthen the EPA’s ability to continue the fight against toxic air pollution impacting communities across the country, especially our environmental justice and frontline communities, helping make our communities healthier, safer, and stronger.” 

“No one should have to breathe unhealthy, toxic pollution in their neighborhood,” said Senator Markey (D-Mass.). “We can’t manage what we don’t measure, which is why Congress must take steps to improve our air quality monitoring so that we can improve public health in the communities that have suffered most from environmental injustice. The Technology Assessment for Air Quality Management Act will give the EPA the resources they need to fight toxic air pollution and keep communities healthy, no matter their ZIP code.”

The Technology Assessment for Air Quality Management Act will: 

·      Allow the EPA to annually update and expand its online air quality toolbox with best-available monitor technologies, methods, and associated uses of data.

·      Enable the EPA to connect the toolbox with environmental justice mapping and screening tools.

·      Establish a working group consisting of representatives from EPA regional offices, air agencies, environmental justice networks, data science, and public health science to develop templates for integrated monitoring systems.

·      Direct the EPA and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct an inventory of the locations and operation statuses of air monitors, existing data infrastructure, high-priority areas for monitoring deployment in environmental justice communities, and workforce needs to improve air quality management across scales. 

The House bill is cosponsored by Reps. Raúl Grijalva (AZ-07), Kathy Castor (FL-14), and Katherine Clarke (MA-05). 

The Senate companion bill is led by Senator Edward Markey (D-MA). 

Read the bill text here. 

Original source can be found here.