This action approves an award in the amount of $233,000 to provide funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to asheville-buncombe air quality for the expansion and enhancement of their air…

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded a $233,000 Project Grant under the Surveys, Studies, Research, Investigations, Demonstrations, and Special Purpose Activities Relating to the Clean Air Act (CFDA 66.034) program to the Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency in North Carolina. The grant funding will support the expansion and enhancement of the agency's air monitoring activities, including purchasing a T640X PM10 monitor, a calibrator kit, and pumps to support current monitoring equipment. The anticipated outcomes include increasing the number of air monitoring sites, deploying new equipment at existing sites, upgrading infrastructure, conducting trainings, and developing quality assurance documentation. The grant aims to improve air quality monitoring and analysis capabilities, increase public awareness, and provide benefits to disadvantaged communities in the Asheville-Buncombe area. The performance period for this award is from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2026.

This action approves an award in the amount of $233,000 to provide funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to asheville-buncombe air quality for the expansion and enhancement of their air monitoring activities. Specifically, the recipient will purchase T640X monitor, support current monitoring equipment with calibrator kit and support current monitoring equipment with AC unit.activities:the activities include purchasing backup PM10 monitor, whisper series alicat FP-25 calibrator kit, 3 pumps to support monitoring equipment to prevent down time for repair.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include air monitoring sites, equipment to support and upgrade sites and completion of air monitoring related performance testing and/or audits. - number of new areas measuring air pollution - number of new multipollutant air monitoring sites - number of new equipment deployed at existing air monitoring sites - number of existing air monitoring sites and equipment supported and upgraded - number of trainings for air quality monitoring - development of quality assurance/quality control documentation - completion of air monitoring related performance testing and/or audits the expected outcomes include train and fully staff to support monitoring program, expansion, and enhancement of their air monitoring activities, below is a list of possible outcomes. - increased disadvantaged communities monitored for air quality; - increased public awareness of ambient air quality; - 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. - publicly available air quality monitoring data for communities (monitoring site in EJ area) - benefits for disadvantaged communities (monitoring site in EJ area) - have adequate monitoring staff for continuity of operations due to - increased sustainability of ambient air monitoring network. - electric vehicle used by monitoring staff. The intended beneficiaries include residents of the asheville-buncombe area.