Overview
Title
To direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to provide grants to air pollution control agencies to implement a cleaner air space program, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
S. 147 is like a plan where a special agency, the Environmental Protection Agency, gives money to help make the air cleaner, especially for people who might have trouble breathing because of smoke from big fires. This helps by giving air filters to people who don't have a lot of money, so they can breathe easier and stay healthy.
Summary AI
S. 147 is a bill proposed to establish a grant program through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help air pollution control agencies create cleaner air spaces. The bill focuses on providing grants for the creation of clean air centers and the distribution of air filtration units to low-income communities vulnerable to wildland fire smoke. Under the proposed legislation, these grants would support programs that educate the public, partner with community organizations, and gather feedback through surveys to improve air quality initiatives. The bill also outlines funding limits and requirements that air pollution agencies must follow to access these grants.
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AnalysisAI
The proposed legislation titled the “Cleaner Air Spaces Act of 2025” aims to address air quality issues resulting from wildland fire smoke by empowering the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide grants to air pollution control agencies. These grants are designed to fund the implementation of cleaner air space programs, with a special focus on low-income communities that are often more vulnerable to the impacts of poor air quality.
General Summary
The bill's central intention is to mitigate the impact of wildland fire smoke on air quality by facilitating the establishment of “clean air centers” and distributing air filtration units to households in need. A clean air center is defined as a publicly accessible place designed to maintain low levels of harmful air pollutants, particularly during wildland fire smoke events. The legislation authorizes $30 million in funding for the period 2026 to 2028, allowing grants up to $3 million each.
Significant Issues
There are several critical issues identified in the bill. Firstly, the cap of $3 million per grant may not adequately cover the needs of larger or more affected areas, limiting the initiative's reach and impact. Additionally, the definition of “low-income community” and eligibility criteria for households at risk may lack clarity, leading to potential inconsistencies in program application.
The necessity for air pollution control agencies to partner with community-based organizations could restrict program implementation, especially in rural or isolated areas where such organizations might be scarce. Another concern is the absence of specific guidelines on how air filtration units should be distributed, which could result in inefficiencies or inequalities.
Moreover, with up to 10% of funds earmarked for administrative expenses, there is a potential reduction in the direct funding available for community needs, which might dilute the program's effectiveness. The requirement for detailed documentation and survey data could impose significant administrative burdens on participating agencies.
Public Impact
Broadly, this bill could have a profound impact on public health by providing the necessary infrastructure and resources to mitigate air pollution caused by wildfires. By targeting low-income communities, it seeks to assist those who might otherwise lack the means to protect themselves from dangerous air quality.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For low-income households, particularly those with vulnerable individuals such as the elderly or those with pre-existing health issues, this legislation could offer crucial support in maintaining better indoor air quality during fire events. However, without clear criteria for eligibility, some communities might face challenges in accessing these resources.
Air pollution control agencies could benefit from the financial aid but may struggle with the administrative loads and partnership requirements stipulated in the bill. Community-based organizations could play a pivotal role, yet their limited availability in certain regions might hinder program effectiveness in those areas.
Overall, while the “Cleaner Air Spaces Act of 2025” has the potential to significantly improve air quality resilience in susceptible communities, attention to the identified issues will be critical in ensuring the legislation achieves its intended outcomes effectively and equitably.
Financial Assessment
The bill, S. 147, proposes financial provisions to address air pollution exacerbated by wildland fire smoke, focusing particularly on vulnerable, low-income communities. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is tasked with providing grants to air pollution control agencies, emphasizing community engagement and public education.
Financial Provisions and Limits
The bill authorizes the EPA to distribute grants for the implementation of a cleaner air space program. Each individual grant is capped at $3,000,000 per air pollution control agency. This limit is a significant financial parameter since it may not be sufficient for agencies in areas dealing with extensive air pollution challenges or large populations. Thus, the cap could potentially restrict the program's effectiveness in sufficiently addressing the needs of larger urban centers or regions with severe pollution problems.
Additionally, the bill authorizes a total funding allocation of $30,000,000 for the fiscal years 2026 through 2028. This provision outlines the overall budget available for the entire program, which underscores the potential for financial strain on the program if numerous agencies apply for grants simultaneously, particularly given the stated cap for individual grants.
Issues Related to Financial Allocations
Grant Cap Limitations: The financial cap of $3,000,000 per agency may not accommodate extensive implementation costs needed for areas with high demand or larger populations. This limitation ties back to an issue identified in the analysis, where areas heavily impacted by air pollution might find their efforts constrained by financial shortfalls despite an identified need.
Administrative Costs: The administrator is allowed to allocate up to 10 percent of the total appropriations for administrative expenses. With a $30,000,000 allocation, this equates to a potential $3,000,000 being diverted for administrative uses, reducing the funds directly available to community initiatives. This could impact the overall effectiveness of the program, as less funding would be available for direct public health improvements and air quality enhancements.
Guidelines and Accountability
An issue of concern is the lack of clear accountability measures within the allocation of appropriations. Without explicit guidelines on how these funds should be managed and reported, there's a risk of inefficient or mismanaged use of public funds, which could detract from the program's intended public health benefits.
Furthermore, the provisions do not specify how educational materials should be developed or what they must include beyond basic utilization information. This lack of specification might lead to inconsistencies in public information standards, affecting the program's overall effectiveness and potentially leading to varied understanding and use of the financial resources provided.
Overall, the financial structuring within S. 147 presents several challenges that might affect program execution and the equitable distribution of resources across communities.
Issues
The grant limit of $3,000,000 per air pollution control agency in Section 2(c)(1) may not be sufficient for areas with a high need or large populations, potentially limiting the program's effectiveness in combating air pollution and protecting public health.
The criteria for defining a 'low-income community' or households susceptible to fire smoke events in Section 2(a)(5) and Section 2(a)(7) may not be sufficiently clear, potentially leading to ambiguous eligibility requirements and uneven implementation of the program.
The requirement for air pollution control agencies to partner with at least one community-based organization in Section 2(f) might limit participation to organizations within easy reach, potentially excluding more isolated or rural regions, thus reducing the program's reach and equity.
There is no clear guidance in Section 2 on how distribution of air filtration units will be prioritized or verified among covered households, which could lead to inefficiencies or inequities in addressing air quality needs.
The authorization of appropriations in Section 2(h) includes a broad ceiling with no clear accountability measures, which could lead to potential mismanagement or inefficient use of funds intended for public health improvements.
The provision in Section 2(e)(3) that allows the Administrator to use up to 10 percent of funds for administrative expenses may reduce the amount of funding available directly for community needs, potentially impacting the program's effectiveness.
There is no specification in Section 2(d)(2)(D) of how educational materials should be developed or what they must include aside from basic utilization information, potentially leading to varying standards of public information and understanding of how to use air filtration units effectively.
The requirement to collect and submit detailed information about distributed air filtration units in Section 2(e)(5) may present an administrative burden that could detract from the program's primary goals of immediate public health protection.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of this act states that it will be officially known as the “Cleaner Air Spaces Act of 2025”.
2. Cleaner air space program grants Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Cleaner Air Space Program Grants section allows the Environmental Protection Agency to give grants to air pollution control agencies to create cleaner air spaces, especially in areas affected by wildland fire smoke. The program requires agencies to partner with community organizations, distribute air filtration units to low-income households, establish "clean air centers," and provide educational resources, with a budget authorized at $30 million from 2026 to 2028.
Money References
- — (1) AMOUNTS.—Under this section, the Administrator may not provide a grant to an air pollution control agency in an amount that exceeds $3,000,000.
- (h) Authorization of appropriations.— (1) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this section $30,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2026 through 2028.