Smoke and Heat Ready Communities Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Smoke and Heat Ready Communities Act of 2025, aims to bolster local communities' resilience against the growing threats of wildfire smoke and extreme heat. It amends the Clean Air Act to establish a new grant program, enabling the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide funding to air pollution control agencies. These grants will support a range of activities, including monitoring air quality , conducting community outreach , deploying advanced air quality equipment, and equipping public buildings with air filtration systems to serve as cleaner air spaces. Funds can also be used for purchasing and distributing personal protective equipment like N-95 masks and portable air filters, as well as providing subgrants for protective gear or weatherization measures to mitigate air infiltration. Beyond direct community support, the bill mandates the establishment of four Centers of Excellence for Wildfire Smoke and Extreme Heat at higher education institutions. These centers will conduct vital research on the public health effects of smoke and heat and develop effective community response strategies. The EPA Administrator is also directed to undertake broader research initiatives to study health impacts, develop interventions, improve monitoring tools, and enhance communication strategies. Finally, the legislation creates a competitive grant program to assist states, local governments, Indian Tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations in developing and implementing collaborative community plans. These plans are designed to mitigate the impacts of smoke emissions and extreme heat, requiring collaboration with public institutions of higher education or other research institutions with relevant expertise. Significant appropriations are authorized for these research and planning efforts, totaling $80 million annually for fiscal year 2026 and beyond, in addition to sums necessary for the primary grant program.