Staff Writer

Last month, the EPA selected 132 projects across the country to receive Enhanced Air Quality Monitoring Competitive Grants which would go towards implementing air quality monitoring systems in communities across the nation. Through this monitoring, data will be collected on pollutants negatively impacting these communities in hopes of creating solutions towards restoring and protecting the environment. The grants will be awarded to projects from 37 different states and in total the administration will be granting a total of $54.4 million which comes from the American Rescue Plan which was passed in 2021. 

In Georgia, the Center for Sustainable Communities was awarded $498,401 to create air quality sensors in 11 minority communities based in Atlanta and the Environmental Community Action was awarded $475,947 to implement seven air quality monitors, collect and share data, and educate residents in five communities. Additionally, Georgia was jointly awarded $365,368 with North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Virginia to help collect air quality data on the Blue Ridge region. 

The EPA will likely begin awarding the funding soon. 
To learn more about the projects in your area, go here.