Senate Bill Would Require EPA to Expand Air Monitors Near 100+ Industrial Facilities

EPA publishes a public list of at least 100 high-priority facilities for fenceline monitoring (with public comment first).

Communities will know which sites must be monitored and can submit comments if they think a nearby facility should be included or if siting/coverage looks weak.

EPA issues rules on how satellite data can be used (with monitors/models) to judge compliance for PM10, PM2.5, ozone, and nitrogen oxides.

Some areas could get a clearer picture of air quality even where ground monitors are limited, which may affect whether an area is labeled as meeting or not meeting federal standards.

If community sensor data shows pollution reached 98% of a federal limit over a year, EPA must add official monitors unless the sensor data is shown to be clearly unreliable.

Areas that seem “near the edge” could get upgraded, more accurate monitoring, which can later trigger stronger clean-air planning if limits are exceeded.

EPA issues rules requiring whole industry categories to use best-available fenceline/continuous monitoring and to take corrective action when readings are too high.

More facilities (not just the first 100) could face ongoing monitoring and may need to fix leaks or change operations sooner when readings show problems.

EPA updates national emissions reporting requirements to include more hazardous air pollutants and PFAS, including reporting during malfunctions.

Communities may see more complete emissions data (including during “things went wrong” periods), which can change local risk discussions and enforcement priorities.

EPA restores or replaces the EJSCREEN mapping tool and adds data from the new monitoring programs.

People could use a public map to see pollution and community risk indicators in one place, making it easier to compare neighborhoods and track changes over time.