NEWARK, N.J. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) visited the City of Elizabeth to highlight two federally funded programs to monitor air quality in Environmental Justice communities through the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The Environmental Justice Small Grants Program and the American Rescue Plan Enhanced Air Quality Monitoring for Communities Grant are funding projects in New Jersey to monitor and enhance air quality in underserved communities and alert residents to take appropriate shelter or precautions in the event of poor air quality. The monitors detect the amount of Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM 2.5), fine inhalable particles that can penetrate the lungs and bloodstream and pose severe risks to human health.
In 2021, a $75,000 grant was awarded to Groundwork Elizabeth, a local organization,through EPA’s Ports Initiative in partnership with EPA’s Environmental Justice Small Grant program. The funding was used to form a Climate Safe Task Force with youth involvement, host six community meetings, install five air sensors to collect data, form a collaborative partnership with Rutgers to analyze the results, and produce a final report on potential health risks.
Booker has long been a been a leader for environmental justice in Congress. In March of this year, he introduced the Environmental Justice for All Act, legislation that would direct federal policy to achieve environmental justice, health equity, and climate justice for underserved communities. He has also introduced legislation that would invest $100 billion to clean up legacy pollution and would prohibit granting major source air pollution permits in vulnerable communities already suffering harm from high levels of air pollution. As part of his visit to Elizabeth today, Booker hosted a discussion with EPA officials, local stakeholders, and residents benefitting from the air quality monitors.
“For environmental justice communities like the one I visited in Elizabeth today, poor air quality is a routine occurrence,” said Senator Booker. “As people here bear the brunt of the cumulative impacts of air pollution from diesel emissions and, more recently, the Canadian wildfires, these newly installed air quality monitors will be essential to making sure residents can make informed decisions about their health and well-being.”
In 2022, the Housing Authority of Elizabeth and the City of Elizabeth and the City of Jersey City were selected to receive $500,000 and $465,250 respectively as part of the EPA’s largest investment in community air monitoring programs in the Agency’s history. Federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act are funding 132 projects nationwide through the Enhanced Air Quality Monitoring for Communities Grant. The Housing Authority of Elizabeth will use resources for the installation of additional air quality sensors that will read data from 13 locations and enable the city to take immediate action to ensure environmental wellness in the city.
“These federal programs to engage communities in air quality monitoring demonstrate the Biden Administration’s ongoing commitment to advance environmental justice in vulnerable communities,” continued Sen. Booker. “Clean, safe air is a right for all, and this federal funding—alongside the Administration’s steps to reduce pollution in overburdened communities and transition to a clean-energy economy—is putting Elizabeth on the pathway to making that sentiment a reality.”
“By being part of the Environmental Justice Small Grant Ports Initiative, Groundwork Elizabeth has laid the crucial foundation for addressing the air pollution and climate risks that our residents deal with every day,” said Congressman Rob Menendez. “While I am proud to represent a densely populated urban district with one of the largest ports in the world, it is vital that we continue our efforts to mitigate the risks of air pollution and monitor air quality for our residents. I thank the Biden Administration and our local, state, and federal officials for highlighting the importance of investing in collecting the necessary data to guide us toward reducing emission rates and ensuring the well-being of New Jersey families.”
"One year ago, the Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law, providing EPA with a historic opportunity to support communities to tackle climate change, improve air quality, and bring about environmental equity," said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. "Community leaders and the City of Elizabeth have shown leadership, innovation, and collaboration in tackling the public health impacts from air pollution. Today, we celebrate their success and the positive impacts of investing in communities like Elizabeth across America."
“With every data point the air quality monitors collect, we gain a clearer understanding of the air we breathe and its impact on our health and environment,” said Christian Bollwage, Mayor of the City of Elizabeth. “The well-being of our residents remains our top priority, and these monitors have undoubtedly contributed to a healthier and more sustainable community. These Air Quality monitors have allowed us to make informed decisions, implement effective policies, and collaboratively work towards cleaner skies and a healthier future for all.”
"Everyone should be able to breathe clean air and our urban communities suffer most because of issues of environmental justice,” said Jonathan Phillips, Executive Director for Groundwork Elizabeth. “For the past several years, Groundwork Elizabeth, the City of Elizabeth, our local Elizabeth Housing Authority, and many public and private partners have collaborated on an EPA grant called ‘The Elizabeth Clean Air Project: A Community Collaboration to Reduce Particulate Matter from Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal.’ Our work with the EPA in measuring air quality, setting community meetings to gain support, and seeking solutions like substituting biofuels for pure diesel is a first step towards developing both short- and long-term benefits. Support from our elected officials like our Mayor and Senator Booker are crucial to moving policies forward that protect our neighborhoods."
“The Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth (HACE) recognizes the short- and long-term effects of air pollution on our already environmentally overburdened residents,” said William Jones, Executive Director of HACE. “We need to better understand the origins of air pollution in our communities, develop strategies to decrease this pollution and continuously engage our residents in the process. In partnership with residents, local environmental non-profit Groundwork Elizabeth, and academic partner Rutgers University, HACE is preparing to install a network of air sensors across its properties, engage the community and supply actionable data to work towards policy change.”
Today’s visit to Elizabeth was part of Booker’s 2023 Jersey Summer Road Trip, a series of stops highlighting New Jersey’s 21 counties. The road trip will focus on Booker’s efforts to secure congressionally directed funding for critical projects in the state; his legislative priorities, including his work to address the opioid epidemic, counter the scourge of gun violence, and serve New Jersey veterans; and his support of local businesses and organizations.