Federal Grant Award Summary

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) received a $838,562 Project Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 under the "Surveys, Studies, Research, Investigations, Demonstrations, and Special Purpose Activities Relating to the Clean Air Act" program (CFDA 66.034) effective April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2028. The award funds the development, establishment, and maintenance of ambient air quality monitoring programs focused specifically on fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Ohio EPA will operate and maintain ten PM2.5 monitoring sites as specified in an annual monitoring network plan, operate three NCORE (National Core) sites statewide, and upload all collected data into the EPA's Air Quality System. The agency will also provide data to the Chemical Speciation Network to support national air quality research and standards compliance.

Subawards to local air monitoring agencies throughout Ohio will support the operation of additional PM2.5 monitoring sites, conduct laboratory analysis of collected samples, and report on monitoring results. The anticipated deliverables include the annual monitoring network plan and PM2.5 concentration data, with expected outcomes including increased knowledge of PM2.5 characteristics and extent in Ohio's ambient air, reduced PM2.5 concentrations, and compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards established under the Clean Air Act. The direct beneficiaries are Ohio residents.