S. 4571: Tropospheric Ozone Research Act of 2026

The Tropospheric Ozone Research Act of 2026 aims to establish a research program focused on tropospheric ozone, which is a significant component of air pollution and affects climate change. The bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to create a competitive grant program that will fund research on the impacts of tropospheric ozone on climate. Here are the key components of the bill:

Objectives

The main objectives of the research program will include:

• Understanding how tropospheric ozone concentrations and their mitigation affect global temperatures, including the roles of regional emissions and interactions with other pollutants.
• Assessing the impacts of tropospheric ozone on regional and seasonal temperatures, heat stress, and overall climate conditions.
• Investigating natural factors that affect tropospheric ozone levels, such as emissions from non-human sources.
• Evaluating the effects of elevated tropospheric ozone on agriculture, forest health, and ecosystem productivity.
• Enhancing regional and global climate models to include the effects of tropospheric ozone and its interactions with greenhouse gases.
• Strengthening monitoring networks for better data collection and analysis of tropospheric ozone and its precursors.

Grant Program

The EPA will establish a grant program to fund eligible research entities such as:

• Colleges and universities.
• National Laboratories.
• Nonprofit research organizations with expertise in atmospheric science.

The grants will be awarded following a competitive process and are intended to support various research activities as laid out in the objectives.

Research Requirements

Research funded by the program will focus on:

• Current and future modeling of tropospheric ozone impacts.
• Scenarios predicting changes in tropospheric ozone levels based on different emission trends.
• Assessments of how various climate impacts (e.g., wildfires, changes in humidity) may alter tropospheric ozone levels.

Public Data and Reporting

Data collected through this program will be made publicly available. Grant recipients must provide annual reports on their findings, which the EPA will compile into a comprehensive report after four years. This report will include:

• Current contributions of tropospheric ozone to temperature increases.
• Predictions of future impacts based on different emission scenarios.
• Recommendations for mitigating the effects of tropospheric ozone on health, ecosystems, and agriculture.

Funding

The bill authorizes the appropriation of funds to support the research program, specifying:

• $10.5 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2029.
• $1 million for fiscal year 2030.

Out of these funds, a significant portion is allocated for grants, while others will cover administrative costs and the preparation of the required reports.

Collaboration

The EPA is encouraged to collaborate with the global scientific community for data sharing and joint research efforts.

Relevant Companies

• GE - General Electric may be involved due to its work in environmental technologies and potential partnerships for research on air quality and pollution control.
• UHS - Universal Health Services could be affected due to concerns around health impacts from ozone pollution, which may influence operational considerations.
• CLX - The Clorox Company, as a producer of cleaning products, may have interests in chemical emissions and environmental research relevant to its product impact.