WISCONSIN — The Biden-Harris administration set aside nearly $1.5 million for two local governments and one organization in Wisconsin to conduct community air quality monitoring.

These grants are three of 132 air monitoring projects in 37 states that will receive $53.4 million from President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act and American Rescue Plan to enhance air quality monitoring in communities across the U.S.

The $1,429,746 in funding will go toward the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Inc. and the City of Madison. 

“I voted for the Inflation Reduction Act because it is delivering federal funding to help monitor and enhance our air quality and protect the health of Wisconsin families,” said Sen. Tammy Baldwin. “As the COVID-19 pandemic and the threat of air pollution continue to impact residents with asthma, I am thankful that these investments from the Biden administration will provide real-time information to identify air pollutants and work to improve the air that Wisconsinites breathe every day.”

The grant selections will help advance the administration's Justice40 Initiative, which directed that 40% of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments flow to overburdened communities that face disproportionately high and adverse health and environmental impacts.  

"Too often, one's zip code determines one's air quality,” said Rep. Gwen Moore. “And in Milwaukee, these realities create health disparities for our residents. I am proud to have supported both the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act, which made these equity-centered grants possible, and will empower my constituents with the information and tools to protect their health." 

The administration said the EPA will start the process to award the funding by the end of this year.