Charleston Leader

On April 10, 2024, Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia delivered her opening statement at a Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee hearing focused on "Examining the State of Air Quality Monitoring Technology."

Capito expressed her gratitude, stating, "Thank you Chairman Carper, and thank you all for being here with us today." She raised concerns about the administration's handling of air monitoring data quality, noting, "I am a bit concerned about the administration and some of the neglect I've seen in the major flaws in the air monitoring data quality."

Highlighting the improvements in air quality in the United States, Capito emphasized, "Americans enjoy some of the cleanest air in the world." She pointed out the reduction in emissions of criteria air pollutants and precursor pollutants by 73% between 1980 and 2022.

The discussion also touched on the inaccuracies in air quality monitoring data, specifically regarding the Teledyne PM Mass Monitor. Capito highlighted the need to prioritize correcting errors in monitoring data before promoting the use of emerging, less accurate sensors.

Capito criticized the allocation of funds for low-cost air quality sensors, stating, "I am concerned that spending more money on new, unproven, and inaccurate monitors that can't be used reliably to direct our regulatory action will at best be a waste of money or a misplaced priority."

In conclusion, Capito emphasized the importance of improving the existing monitoring network to continue the progress made in enhancing air quality. She stated, "Instead, we need to make improvements in the existing monitoring network so that we can build on the substantial progress we have made to improve our air quality."

The hearing shed light on the critical need for accurate and reliable air quality monitoring to ensure the health and wellbeing of Americans across the nation.