Community air quality monitors — like these in the Methow Valley — are an example of existing monitoring that will be combined with expanded air monitoring networks in overburdened communities.

Help Ecology understand the impacts of air pollution in your community at upcoming listening sessions

When the Legislature passed Washington’s big new climate law, the Climate Commitment Act, earlier this year, it wanted to make sure that cutting carbon pollution – another name for greenhouse gases – also reduced other types of air pollution in those communities that shoulder the greatest burden from pollution today. Reducing greenhouse gases is essential to protect our state’s future, but we also need to address the pollution problems we have today.

To do that, the Department of Ecology is working with local clean air agencies, local governments, Tribes, and ordinary people like you to understand where those pollution impacts are and determine what can be done about them. We’re holding a series of listening sessions in January 2022 to begin that process.

The first step in reducing air pollution in these overburdened areas will be: 1. Identifying an initial set of overburdened communities, and then 2. Install new air quality monitors in these areas so we can get that closer look at what the problems with air quality are.

Your help is key in this process.

In January, Ecology will host virtual listening sessions and other public input opportunities to learn more about your experiences with air pollution in your community. To find out more and to register, check out the blog post and the webpage for Improving Air Quality in Overburdened Communities.

Caroline Mellor

Climate Commitment Act Environmental Justice Planner

	Caroline.Mellor@ecy.wa.gov
	360-628-4666