Tropospheric Ozone Research Act of 2026
- Sponsor
- Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]
- Committees
- Science, Space, and Technology Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Sep 21, 2026
Bottom line
This bill creates a new EPA grant program to fund research into the climate and environmental impacts of tropospheric ozone and its precursors, aiming to improve scientific understanding and inform mitigation strategies.
What it actually does
This bill mandates the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a competitive grant program for research into the climate impacts of tropospheric ozone. The research will cover its effects on global and regional temperatures, crop loss, and ecosystem productivity, while also requiring the development of advanced climate models and the expansion of monitoring infrastructure. All collected data and research findings must be made publicly available, and the EPA Administrator must report to Congress with policy recommendations.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that this bill addresses a critical gap in climate science by focusing on tropospheric ozone, a potent greenhouse gas and air pollutant whose full climate impacts and interactions are not yet fully understood. They would emphasize the importance of robust research, improved monitoring, and advanced modeling to develop effective, targeted mitigation strategies that can yield both climate and public health benefits, especially given its regional and localized effects on heat stress and crop yields.
Opponents contend
Critics might contend that while tropospheric ozone research is valuable, creating a new, dedicated grant program within the EPA could lead to redundant efforts or divert resources from existing climate research initiatives at other agencies. They might also question the specific funding levels or argue that the EPA's primary role should be regulatory enforcement rather than extensive research, suggesting that other scientific agencies are better equipped to lead such programs.
The bill is concise and clearly written, making it highly accessible for a reader to understand its provisions and implications within a short timeframe.
Section 2(b)
Establishment of Tropospheric Ozone Research Grant Program
This provision directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator to create a competitive grant program within 90 days of receiving appropriations. The program will award grants to eligible entities to conduct research specifically on the climate impacts of tropospheric ozone, which is ozone found within the Earth's troposphere.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this program is crucial for advancing scientific understanding of tropospheric ozone's complex role in climate change, providing necessary funding to experts in the field.
Critics contend
Some might argue that establishing a new grant program could create administrative overhead or duplicate existing research efforts in other federal agencies.
Tradeoffs
The tension lies between creating a focused research initiative and potentially fragmenting federal research efforts across multiple agencies.
Section 2(c)
Mandated Research Topics for Grant Program
This section outlines the specific areas of research that grants must cover. These include understanding tropospheric ozone's impact on global, regional, and seasonal temperatures, heat stress, crop loss, and ecosystem productivity. It also requires research into natural interactions affecting ozone, development of climate models, and strengthening monitoring infrastructure, with a focus on current and future scenarios.
Section 2(c)(3) and Section 2(h)
Data Transparency and Reporting Requirements
This provision mandates that all data collected through the monitoring and observational infrastructure funded by the program must be made publicly available. Additionally, grant recipients must submit annual reports to the Administrator, which will also be made public. The EPA Administrator is required to submit a comprehensive report to Congress within four years, summarizing findings, making policy recommendations, and assessing costs and benefits of mitigation options.
Section 2(i)
Funding Authorization for the Program
This section authorizes specific appropriations for the program: $10,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2029, and $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2030. It further specifies that $10,000,000 of the annual amount for 2027-2029 is for grants, $500,000 for program implementation and oversight, and the 2030 funds are solely for preparing the final EPA report.