The agreement provides funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to oregon department of environmental quality (odeq) for the expansion and enhancement of their air monitoring activities

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded a $1,501,220 Project Grant under the Federal Grant Program 66.034 - Surveys, Studies, Research, Investigations, Demonstrations, and Special Purpose Activities Relating to the Clean Air Act to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ). The grant funding will support the expansion and enhancement of ODEQ's air monitoring activities in Oregon. Key products and services to be delivered include upgrading or replacing air monitoring site shelters, equipment, and quality assurance/control systems; integrating ODEQ's air quality management database; and adding new air monitoring sites. A sub-recipient, the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency, will also implement activities such as deploying new particulate matter and meteorological monitoring equipment. The anticipated outcomes include increased air quality monitoring in disadvantaged communities, problem identification, enhanced public awareness, and informed policy and decision-making. The grant has an award date of September 1, 2024, and an ultimate completion date of August 31, 2029.

Specifically, the recipient will: upgrade/replace monitoring site shelters, upgrade/replace air monitoring equipment, upgrade/replace quality assurance/quality control equipment (calibrators and standards), upgrade several sensor sites with federal equivalent method special purpose monitor equipment, upgrade/replace met towers, add new air monitoring sites, integrate odeq air quality management database, and provide staffing for activities listed in this grant. Activities:the activities include: upgrade/replace monitoring site shelters, upgrade/replace air monitoring equipment, upgrade/replace QA/QC equipment (calibrators and standards), upgrade several sensor sites with federal equivalent method special purpose monitor equipment, upgrade/replace met towers, add new air monitoring sites, integrate oregon department of environmental quality air quality management database, and provide staffing for activities listed in this grant. Subrecipient:activities implemented by the sub-recipient, lane regional air protection agency will include: rotating 2WIN nephelometer for particulate matter air quality index information, new ultrasonic anemometers for meteorological information, new zero air sources at multipollutant sites, new BAM 1022 for PM2.5, and updated data acquisition systems. Outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include: quantifying how many new areas measuring air pollution; new multipollutant air monitoring sites; new equipment deployed at existing air monitoring sites; existing air monitoring sites and equipment supported and upgraded; development of quality assurance/quality control documentation and completion of air monitoring related performance testing and/or audits. The expected outcomes include: increased disadvantaged communities monitored for air quality; problem identification; increased public awareness of ambient air quality; increased access to information and tools that increase understanding and reduction of environmental and human health risks; information about air quality in previously unmonitored areas; increased sustainability of ambient air monitoring networks; informed policy and decision making by air agencies; mitigation actions from parties responsible for certain air pollution; change in behavior of public based on new air quality information; reduction of ambient concentrations of certain air pollutant(s); reduction of human exposure to certain air pollutant(s); publicly available air quality monitoring data for communities; identification of new ambient air sampling and analysis methods; benefits for disadvantaged communities. The intended beneficiaries include: general public, human health and the environment, and the oregon department of environmental quality