S.341 - Smoke and Heat Ready Communities Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
The Smoke and Heat Ready Communities Act of 2025 aims to amend the Clean Air Act by establishing a grant program. This program will support local communities in detecting, preparing for, communicating about, or mitigating the environmental and public health impacts of wildfire smoke and extreme heat. The bill authorizes appropriations for these grants, as well as for research on the health effects of wildfire smoke and extreme heat, and for community planning to mitigate these impacts.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would lead to increased funding for local communities to address the impacts of wildfire smoke and extreme heat. It would also promote research into the health effects of these environmental hazards and support the development of community-based mitigation plans. This would likely result in improved air quality monitoring, public awareness, and access to resources for protecting public health during wildfire and extreme heat events.
Potential Benefits
- Improved air quality monitoring and public communication about air quality.
- Increased availability of resources like air filtration systems and protective equipment.
- Support for research into the health effects of wildfire smoke and extreme heat.
- Development of community-based plans to mitigate the impacts of these hazards.
- Targeted support for vulnerable communities, including Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations.
Potential Disadvantages
- The bill's effectiveness depends on the availability of appropriations, which are not guaranteed.
- The establishment of a formula for distributing grants could be subject to political influence.
- The bill may create additional administrative burdens for the EPA and other agencies.
- The focus on wildfire smoke and extreme heat may divert resources from other environmental and public health priorities.
- Potential for inefficient spending or misuse of grant funds.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the General Welfare Clause of the Constitution (Preamble), which empowers Congress to promote the well-being of the population. It also relates to Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8), as air pollution can cross state lines. The establishment of research centers at institutions of higher education could be seen as promoting science and useful arts, which aligns with the spirit of Article I, Section 8, Clause 8 (the Copyright Clause).
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).