To direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to provide grants to air pollution control agencies to implement a cleaner air space program, and for other purposes.
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
IntroducedMr. Bennet (for himself, Mr. Blumenthal, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mrs. …
Summary
What This Bill Does
The Cleaner Air Spaces Act creates a $30 million federal grant program to help low-income communities protect themselves from wildfire smoke. The Environmental Protection Agency would give grants of up to $3 million to state, local, and tribal air quality agencies to set up public "clean air centers" with filtered air and distribute at least 1,000 high-quality air purifiers to vulnerable low-income households in wildfire-prone areas.
Who Benefits and How
Low-income families in wildfire-prone areas benefit most directly - they receive free HEPA air purifiers (worth $200-500 each) plus replacement filters and can access free clean air centers during smoke emergencies. Air purifier manufacturers benefit from federal procurement requirements that create demand for their products, particularly those certified by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers and Energy Star. State, local, and tribal air quality agencies receive new federal funding (up to $3 million per grant), with tribal agencies guaranteed at least one grant. Community-based organizations in affected areas also benefit as required partners who would help distribute equipment and provide outreach.
Who Bears the Burden and How
Federal taxpayers fund the $30 million program over three years (2026-2028). EPA staff must manage the competitive grant application process, monitor implementation, and submit a report to Congress within three years. Air quality agencies that apply for grants must submit detailed proposals, partner with community organizations, establish clean air centers, track equipment distribution, conduct follow-up surveys of recipients within 6 months, and report results to EPA. Air purifier manufacturers whose products don't meet the strict requirements - particularly those that emit ozone or lack proper certifications - are excluded from this federal procurement opportunity.
Key Provisions
- Authorizes $30 million for fiscal years 2026-2028 for EPA grants to air pollution control agencies
- Limits individual grants to $3 million; guarantees at least one grant to a tribal air quality agency
- Requires each grant recipient to distribute at least 1,000 air filtration units (plus one replacement filter each) at no cost to eligible low-income households
- Mandates strict equipment standards: AHAM-certified with Clean Air Delivery Rate of 97+ for smoke, Energy Star certified, true HEPA filters removing 99.97% of particles, no ozone emission
- Requires establishment of at least one public clean air center in each grant area, open and staffed during wildfire smoke events
- Mandates partnership with community-based organizations for implementation and requires follow-up surveys of recipients within 6 months
Evidence Chain:
This summary is derived from the structured analysis below. See "Detailed Analysis" for per-title beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
Primary Purpose
Authorizes EPA grants to air pollution control agencies to establish clean air centers and distribute air filtration units to low-income households at risk from wildland fire smoke
Policy Domains
Legislative Strategy
"Environmental justice approach - targeting federal resources to protect low-income communities disproportionately affected by wildland fire smoke through direct distribution of air filtration equipment and establishment of public clean air refuges"
Likely Beneficiaries
- Low-income households in wildfire-prone areas
- State, local, and tribal air pollution control agencies (grant recipients)
- Community-based organizations (implementation partners)
- Air filtration unit manufacturers (HEPA filter and air purifier companies)
- Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers certified products
- Energy Star certified product manufacturers
Likely Burden Bearers
- Federal taxpayers ( million in appropriations)
- EPA administrative staff (program oversight)
- Air pollution control agencies (application and reporting requirements, survey administration)
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "the_administrator"
- → Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
Key Definitions
Terms defined in this bill
The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
Has the meaning given in section 302 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7602) - includes state, local, and tribal agencies with jurisdiction over air quality
1 or more clean air rooms in a publicly accessible building
A room designed to keep levels of harmful air pollutants as low as possible during wildland fire smoke events
A household in a low-income community that includes a person at high risk of experiencing wildland fire smoke events and vulnerable to negative health effects (due to health conditions, disability, or age)
Air filtration unit certified by AHAM with Clean Air Delivery Rate of at least 97 for smoke, Energy Star certified, does not emit ozone, uses true HEPA filter rated to remove 99.97% of particles 0.3 micrometers or greater
Has the meaning given in section 45D(e) of the Internal Revenue Code (references New Markets Tax Credit definitions)
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology