Rep. Neguse, Gov. Polis, Sens. Bennet and Hickenlooper Announce $1.9 Million Federal Investment to Support Statewide Efforts to Enhance Wildfire Smoke Preparedness & Protection
Funding was awarded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Wildfire Smoke Preparedness in Community Buildings grant program.
Lafayette, CO — Today, Congressman Joe Neguse, founder and Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Wildfire Caucus, Governor Jared Polis, Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement that the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) will receive $1.9 million in federal funding to enhance wildfire smoke preparedness and protection in communities across the state. Specifically, the award will support the design and implementation of a state-wide program to provide outreach, education, and training for local community partners on how to prepare for, and respond to, the public health threat of wildfire smoke.
In Colorado and across the West, wildfires continue to increase in frequency and severity, resulting in more Americans being at risk of suffering from unhealthy air quality caused by wildfire smoke. Wildfire smoke can have adverse impacts on anyone; individuals with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease or other pre-existing conditions, along with those who are pregnant, children, or first responders are especially at risk.
“Like all Coloradans, I’ve seen firsthand the real and growing threats associated with wildfire and wildfire smoke in our communities. This $1.9 million grant awarded to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will help the state take critical steps toward bolstering wildfire smoke preparedness and protection in our communities,” said Congressman Neguse. “As wildfire seasons turn into wildfire years, it is more pressing than ever that we take action to protect our homes, businesses and communities.”
“Every Coloradan deserves to breathe clean air, and this grant from the Biden administration will build on Colorado’s nation-leading work to improve air quality and increase preparedness for future wildfires in our state. I applaud Congressman Neguse and the delegation for their work to secure this federal funding, and look forward to continue taking steps to protect Colorado’s air, and the health and safety of Coloradans,” said Governor Polis.
“Coloradans are all too familiar with the effects of wildfire smoke,” said Senator Bennet. “As we face a hotter and drier future, these investments will be critical to reduce the health risks posed by smoke and to ensure every Coloradan can breathe clean air. But there’s more to do, and I’ll keep working to pass my Cleaner Air Spaces Act to further reduce the negative public health effects of wildfire smoke for vulnerable communities.”
“From the 35,000 Coloradans displaced by the 2021 Marshall Fire to the more than 200,000 acres of land ravaged by the 2020 Cameron Peak Fire, Coloradans are living the climate crisis today. This investment protects us, our homes, and the environment,” said Senator Hickenlooper.
The Wildfire Smoke Preparedness in Community Buildings grant program is a new federal program to enhance community wildfire smoke preparedness by providing grants to states, federally recognized Tribes, public preschools, local educational agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Projects are designed to assess, prevent, control, or abate wildfire smoke hazards in community buildings that serve the public, and that serve disadvantaged communities or vulnerable populations.
CDPHE is one of nine grantees expected to receive a total of nearly $11 million in federal funding to enhance wildfire smoke preparedness and protection. These grants are provided under Section 103(b)(3) of the Clean Air Act as supplemented by authority provided in the 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act and the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act to fund abatement activities.
Find additional information about the other projects selected HERE.
Background
Congressman Neguse, who also serves as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Federal Lands, has emerged as a leader amongst his colleagues in the fight for increased federal support to communities recovering from climate-induced natural disasters like wildfires. Following Colorado’s record-setting wildfires seasons in 2020 and 2021, Rep. Neguse has worked tirelessly to bring federal resources home to recovering communities and advocate for increased support for wildland firefighters, wildfire prevention, and forest management.
As his first action of the 118th Congress, Rep. Neguse introduced a series of bills to significantly increase investments to tackle wildfires and fund resiliency and mitigation projects for communities impacted by the recent rise in Western wildfires. The package consists of the Wildfire Recovery Act, Wildfire Smoke Relief Act, and the Western Wildfire Support Act. In 2022, Rep. Neguse was able to successfully pass several of these measures through the House of Representatives as part of the Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act.
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