Bill Overview
Title: Environmental Justice Air Quality Monitoring Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency to implement a pilot program to award, on a competitive basis, grants or contracts to state, local, and tribal air agencies to carry out specified projects for hyperlocal air quality monitoring systems in environmental justice communities (i.e., communities with significant representation of communities of color, low income communities, or tribal and indigenous communities that experience, or are at risk of experiencing, higher or more adverse human health or environmental effects). A project carried out using a grant or contract awarded under the pilot program may not exceed five years in duration.
Sponsors: Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14]
Target Audience
Population: People in environmental justice communities globally
Estimated Size: 20000000
- The bill specifically targets environmental justice communities, which are defined as communities with significant representation of communities of color, low-income communities, or tribal and indigenous communities.
- These communities often face higher or more adverse health or environmental impacts.
- The pilot program aims to enhance air quality monitoring, which could directly affect the health and wellbeing of people living in these communities globally.
Reasoning
- The policy will primarily impact individuals living in environmental justice communities, which commonly include urban areas with high pollution levels.
- There is a budgetary constraint, but the long-term investment is substantial, allowing for broader reach and potentially greater impact over time.
- As the program is conducted through grants or contracts, variability in its effectiveness and reach should be accounted for, leading to variations in individual impact.
- Some individuals in these communities may see immediate benefits in terms of awareness and improvements in local air quality data, while others may experience only marginal effects or indirect benefits from increased community engagement.
Simulated Interviews
Community Organizer (Richmond, CA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this policy is a step in the right direction. Our community has been fighting for better air quality monitoring for years.
- The grants could help us establish more monitoring stations and gather data needed to press for stricter regulations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Auto Factory Worker (Detroit, MI)
Age: 56 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this actually leads to real changes. We need to know what's in our air and then do something about it.
- Even knowing more about what's going on would help me feel more in control.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm excited about this policy. Better air monitoring is crucial for advocating stricter environmental protections.
- I'm worried about how well the grants will be distributed and managed - will the most affected areas truly benefit?
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Nurse (Navajo Nation, AZ)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Monitoring air quality more accurately is necessary, but we also need action once we have the data.
- Access to real-time data might help manage respiratory health issues sooner.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Retired (Baltimore, MD)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this makes it safer for my grandkids. It's hard to breathe some days.
- I'd like to see better regulation follow this monitoring project.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 3 |
Retail Worker (Chicago, IL)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Honestly, I don't hear much about air quality unless it's really bad.
- If this means less asthma attacks for some of our kids, then that's good.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Environmental Scientist (Houston, TX)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This pilot can set a critical precedent for future environmental health actions.
- I hope we secure a grant to enhance our monitoring systems.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Software Developer (Pittsburgh, PA)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Combining tech with enviro needs could unlock new solutions.
- With more data, local tech developers can innovate responses to air quality issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
School Teacher (New Orleans, LA)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any action to help our kids breathe easier is to be supported.
- We need continued commitment beyond just this program.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
City Planner (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This program further involves us planners in real time data, shaping informed decisions.
- Empowering local authorities with better data could help us adapt urban strategies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $120000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $150000000)
Year 2: $120000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $150000000)
Year 3: $120000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $150000000)
Year 5: $120000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $150000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The need to integrate air quality data collection systems with existing environmental monitoring infrastructure.
- Community engagement and education are critical for effective implementation.
- The importance of ensuring grant and contract competitions are equitable and accessible to smaller or less-resourced communities.