Cleaner Air Spaces Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 566

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Environmental Protection

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-01-20: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2026-04-16T08:06:38Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Cleaner Air Spaces Act of 2025 aims to improve air quality in areas affected by wildland fire smoke (smoke from wildfires) by directing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to fund a grant program. This program helps local air pollution control agencies set up measures to protect vulnerable people in low-income communities from harmful smoke exposure, focusing on public health and environmental justice.

Key Provisions

• Grant Program: The EPA Administrator must provide grants to air pollution control agencies (local or state entities responsible for managing air quality, as defined under the Clean Air Act) to implement "cleaner air space programs," subject to available funding.
• Maximum grant amount: $3,000,000 per agency.
• At least one grant must go to a Tribal agency with air quality jurisdiction.
• Application Process: Agencies apply by submitting proposals that include:
• Certification of partnering with at least one community-based organization (non-profit groups focused on local community needs).
• Details on roles of all partners, target communities (low-income households with high-risk, vulnerable individuals, such as those with health conditions, disabilities, or age-related risks).
• Plans for distributing educational materials, advertising clean air centers (public buildings with filtered rooms), and establishing at least one clean air center in high-risk areas.
• Cost estimates, including administrative expenses.
• Program Implementation Requirements:
• Establish at least one clean air center: A publicly accessible building with "clean air rooms" (spaces designed to minimize harmful pollutants during smoke events), open and staffed during wildfires, and optionally before or after.
• Public advertising: Promote clean air centers and the program during smoke events, including info on free air filtration units (portable devices certified for high-efficiency smoke removal, energy-efficient, ozone-free, and using HEPA filters that capture 99.97% of 0.3-micrometer particles).
• Free distribution: Provide at least 1,000 eligible air filtration units and one replacement filter per unit to covered households at no cost.
• Education and data collection: Distribute guides on creating "clean air rooms" at home; track unit types, numbers, and costs; conduct anonymous surveys 6 months after distribution to assess usage, barriers, and improvements.
• Partnership Mandate: Agencies must collaborate with community-based organizations to meet program goals.
• Reporting: The EPA must submit a report to Congress within 3 years, covering program details, survey results, and recommendations for expansion or improvements.
• Funding: Authorizes $30,000,000 for fiscal years 2026–2028; up to 10% may cover EPA administrative costs.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a new grant program under the EPA's authority, building on the Clean Air Act's definitions (e.g., for air pollution control agencies and low-income communities, the latter referencing tax code criteria for economically disadvantaged areas). It does not amend existing laws directly but adds a targeted initiative for wildfire smoke mitigation, which was not previously funded at this scale or with these specific requirements for community partnerships and vulnerable populations.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The EPA gains new administrative duties, including grant reviews, oversight, and reporting, potentially straining resources unless funded adequately. Local air pollution control agencies (including Tribal ones) receive support to enhance air quality programs but must comply with detailed implementation rules.
• Citizens: Vulnerable low-income households (e.g., those with elderly, disabled, or ill members in wildfire-prone areas) benefit from free air filters, clean air shelters, and education, potentially reducing health risks like respiratory issues from smoke. Broader public awareness of smoke events may improve overall community preparedness.
• International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. air quality and wildfire management.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Air Pollution Control Agencies: Primary recipients of grants; responsible for program execution.
• Tribal Agencies: Ensured access to at least one grant, addressing unique jurisdictional needs in Indigenous communities often hit hard by wildfires.
• Community-Based Organizations: Required partners, gaining roles in outreach, distribution, and support for local implementation.
• Low-Income and Vulnerable Households: Direct beneficiaries through free resources and access to clean air spaces.
• EPA and Congress: EPA oversees the program; Congress receives reports and decides on future funding or expansions.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Relies on EPA's existing Clean Air Act powers for grants and definitions, ensuring straightforward implementation without needing new regulatory authority. Emphasizes environmental justice by prioritizing low-income and vulnerable groups, aligning with federal equity goals.
• Constitutional: No apparent challenges; the bill involves standard federal spending and interstate environmental protection, respecting state and Tribal sovereignty through grants rather than mandates.
• Political: Highlights bipartisan support (introduced by a diverse group of representatives) for addressing climate-driven wildfires and public health disparities. Could set a precedent for future targeted environmental grants, potentially influencing debates on federal funding for disaster resilience amid rising wildfire frequency.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50]

Cosponsors (18)

Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1], Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8], Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10], Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16]

Recent Actions

• 2025-01-20: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-01-20: Introduced in House
• 2025-01-20: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Cleaner Air Spaces Act of 2025 — issued 2025-01-20 — PDF (10 pages)