Wildfire Air Quality Sensor Expansion Act of 2026

This bill aims to enhance air quality monitoring, particularly for wildfire smoke, by clarifying and expanding the use of federal grants for air sensors. It explicitly states that existing grants under sections 103 and 105 of the Clean Air Act can be used by air pollution control agencies to purchase and operate portable air sensors and related equipment. This addresses the critical need for better data in rural and remote areas often lacking adequate air quality monitoring, where wildfires frequently occur.

The legislation establishes a new competitive grant program, administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to help agencies acquire and operate portable air sensors. Priority for these grants will be given to agencies serving remote or rural locations, areas with scarce air quality data, or communities significantly impacted by wildfires and smoke. Grant recipients are required to coordinate with the EPA on data sharing and adjustment for public mapping tools like the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map.

Furthermore, the bill directs the EPA to expand its existing air sensor loan programs, including regional programs and the Wildfire Smoke Air Monitoring Response Technology program, into new regions, states, and tribal lands. This expansion focuses on providing portable air sensors to areas most severely affected by wildfires. The EPA is also mandated to provide technical assistance for sensor placement, selection, maintenance, and data management, prioritizing the same vulnerable communities, and to develop nationally consistent quality assurance project plan templates.