Sponsors (19)
Introduced January 20, 2025 by Scott Peters · Last progress January 20, 2025
The bill directs modest federal funding and equipment to protect vulnerable residents from wildfire smoke and builds local capacity through partnerships and education, but funding limits, distribution rules, and administrative burdens risk leaving small, rural, and Tribal communities underserved and imperiling long-term sustainability.
Low-income households in wildfire-prone areas (including seniors and people with disabilities) receive free HEPA air cleaners and at least one replacement filter, reducing indoor smoke exposure during smoke events.
Public clean air centers are funded to remain open during wildland fire smoke events, providing safe, filtered indoor spaces for vulnerable residents (children, seniors, low-income people).
The bill provides dedicated federal funding (totaling $30 million for 2026–2028) and supports community partnerships and education to improve program reach and correct use of air filtration units, strengthening local and Tribal capacity to respond to wildfire smoke.
The total program funding is limited ($30 million over three years), so many eligible communities may not receive grants or enough units, and ongoing operating and replacement costs could exceed grant support, risking program sustainability after grants end.
A requirement to distribute at least 1,000 units per program may favor larger agencies and leave small, remote, or Tribal communities underserved.
Administrative and reporting requirements (surveys, data collection, partnership certifications) increase workload and program costs for local and state agencies, potentially diverting resources from direct services.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes EPA grants to air agencies to create public clean air centers and distribute air filtration units and one replacement filter per served household, prioritizing low-income and wildfire-risk areas.
Creates an EPA grant program (subject to available appropriations) that funds state, local, interstate, and Tribal air pollution control agencies to set up public "clean air centers," distribute air filtration units and replacement filters, and provide education and outreach—with special focus on low-income households and areas at risk of wildland fire smoke. Grants to any single agency are capped at $3,000,000, at least one Tribal air quality agency must receive a grant, applicants must partner with community-based organizations, and EPA must collect program data and report to Congress within three years.