January 20, 2022
By:
Walter G. Wright
Category:
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law
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Several Senators introduced legislation on January 14th titled:
Technology Assessment for Air Quality Management Act of 2022 (“Bill”)
The Bill would authorize $55 million for over four years for the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) to:
- Annually update/expand its online air quality toolbox with best-available monitoring technologies
- Update/expand associated uses of data
- Connect the toolbox with environmental justice mapping and screening tools
- Create full-time equivalent positions to support the work
The legislation is sponsored by Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and cosponsored by Senators:
- Tina Smith (D-Minn.)
- Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.)
- Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.)
- Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.)
- Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.)
- Michael Bennet (D-Colo.)
- Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)
- Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.)
- Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.)
- Patty Murray (D-Wash.)
- Cory A. Booker (D-N.J.).
The Bill also proposes to establish a working group consisting of representatives from:
- EPA regional offices
- Air agencies
- Environmental justice networks
- Data science
- Public health science
The working group would be tasked with developing templates for integrated monitoring systems.
EPA and the Government Accountability Office would also be directed to conduct an inventory of:
- Locations and operation statuses of air monitors
- Existing data infrastructure
- High-priority areas for monitoring deployment in environmental justice communities
- Workforce needs to improve air quality management across scales
The legislation will be referred to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
A copy of the Bill can be downloaded here.
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