Project Grant 95315201

DESCRIPTION:THIS GRANT AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING UNDER THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT (IRA) TO MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT. THE PURPOSE OF THIS GRANT IS TO ENHANCE AND ASSURE CONTINUOUS MONITORING ACTIVITIES UNDER THE CAA SECTION 103 INCLUDING THE MONITORING OF PM2.5, AIR TOXICS AND OTHER NAAQS POLLUTANTS, AND TO RESEARCH OR PILOT NEW SENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, METHODS OR APPROACHES FOR THE MONITORING OF AIR POLLUTION AT COMMUNITY-BASED SCALES.ACTIVITIES:THESE FUNDS WILL BE UTILIZED TO REPLACE AGING AIR MONITORING SHELTERS THAT HOUSE PM2.5 AND OTHER GASEOUS MONITORING EQUIPMENT; ENHANCE AND UPGRADE EQUIPMENT FOR TO-15 AND PAMS ANALYSIS METHODS; REPLACE THE AGING FIELD DATA LOGGER SYSTEM; AND, INCREASE THE DEPARTMENT'S KNOWLEDGE OF AND USE OF AIR SENSORS TO ASSIST AND STRENGTHEN ALREADY OCCURRING COMMUNITY BASED MONITORING EFFORTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES ARE THE REPORTING OF EXPENDITURES OF CAA GRANT FUNDS VIA COMPLETION OF PROCUREMENT OR TAKING DELIVERY OF AIR MONITORING EQUIPMENT FOR ENHANCING AMBIENT AIR MONITORING ACTIVITIES OF PM2.5 OR OTHER NATIONAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARD (NAAQS) POLLUTANTS CONSISTENT WITH STATED GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR THE USE OF THE CAA GRANT UNDER IRA; AND REPORTING OF STATUS OF SETTING UP AND INSTALLING OF EQUIPMENT TO BEGIN USE OF ACTUAL EQUIPMENT AS PART AIR MONITORING NETWORK SITES. OUTCOMES INCLUDE THE OPERATION OF PM2.5, AIR TOXICS, LOW-COST SENSORS OR OTHER NAAQS POLLUTANTS AIR MONITORING IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL EPA REQUIREMENTS LEADING TO COLLECTION OF QUALITY ASSURED AMBIENT AIR QUALITY DATA TO HELP ENSURE THAT MORE AMERICANS ARE LIVING AND WORKING IN AREAS THAT MEET HIGH AIR QUALITY STANDARDS. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES ARE THE RESIDENTS OF MARYLAND.