Bill Overview
Title: Better Data for Cleaner Air Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency to take specified actions related to monitoring and improving air quality, including by implementing a program to administer or conduct emissions measurement and quantification, promulgating regulations related to specified source categories, formulating recommendations on how to expand ambient air monitoring and access to air quality information for certain communities, and deploying not fewer than 1,000 air quality sensors.
Sponsors: Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-10]
Target Audience
Population: People residing in areas with potentially poor air quality
Estimated Size: 133000000
- The bill aims to improve air quality, which can impact anyone who resides in areas with poor air quality or pollution.
- Air pollution is a global concern affecting millions worldwide, especially in urban areas with industrial activity.
- The Environmental Protection Agency will work to monitor air quality and develop strategies to improve it, which could potentially influence public health on a wide scale.
Reasoning
- This simulated population involves people living in areas with moderate to high air pollution, which includes urban settings and communities close to industrial sites.
- Economic and ethnic diversity is considered to better understand the policy's varied impact on different demographic groups.
- The policy is focused on expanding monitoring and improving air quality, so people with health issues related to air pollution are also a significant focus.
Simulated Interviews
School Teacher (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I sometimes have to stay indoors because the air quality is so bad.
- I am hopeful that this policy will make a difference in the long term.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Oil Refinery Worker (Houston, TX)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The air quality sensors should provide more information to understand how the industry affects us.
- I’m concerned about the regulations but I know it's important to protect health.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Retired (New York City, NY)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've been worried about my health due to pollution for years.
- Improving the air quality can significantly ease my daily life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Graduate Student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 27 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's great to see an emphasis on scientific measurement and data.
- This policy can provide more resources for research on urban pollution.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Farmer (Rural Kentucky)
Age: 54 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy sounds like it's more for the cities.
- I don't expect much impact on my life since our air is quite clean.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Factory Supervisor (Detroit, MI)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We see the pollution every day, it's good to know steps are being taken.
- Cleaner air would be a great relief for everyone here.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Nurse (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Patients suffer from conditions related to poor air quality, this policy could help lessen that.
- It's important to monitor and improve air conditions to prevent health issues.
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 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Tech Entrepreneur (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We definitely need more monitoring to understand the air pollution problems.
- I'm excited about the data-driven aspects of the policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Retired Factory Worker (Pittsburgh, PA)
Age: 66 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My health has suffered due to years of poor air quality.
- I hope future generations have better air to breathe.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
College Student (Denver, CO)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm optimistic about policies aimed at improving our environment.
- It's important to have accurate data for sustained change.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $200000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $250000000)
Year 2: $180000000 (Low: $140000000, High: $230000000)
Year 3: $190000000 (Low: $145000000, High: $240000000)
Year 5: $210000000 (Low: $160000000, High: $260000000)
Year 10: $220000000 (Low: $165000000, High: $275000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Ensuring the effective deployment and maintenance of the air quality sensors is crucial for achieving the bill's objectives.
- Coordination with local governments and other agencies will be necessary for effective air quality monitoring and regulation.
- Monitoring and enforcement costs may vary significantly depending on technological advancements and regulatory changes.