Kelly, Sinema Announce $1 Million for Gila County to Remove Harmful Toxins to Achieve Clean Air from Climate Law

Law shaped by Kelly and Sinema provides $1 million to ensure access to clean air in Gila County

$1,000,000 will be invested in securing clean air for Gila County from the Inflation Reduction Act shaped by Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema. 

Historic mining and smelting operations in the region have led to the presence of lead, arsenic, and other heavy metals in residential and industrial yards throughout the community – contaminating surface waters and creating sulfur dioxide and lead in the air. Gila County will use the funds secured by Kelly and Sinema to complete non-hazardous cleanups, asbestos and lead surveys and reductions, demolition, and public outreach and engagement to rectify the health risks.  

“Too often, small and rural communities in Arizona get overlooked for projects that provide clean air and drinking water,” said Kelly. “With this investment, Gila County will have more tools to protect the environment and improve quality of life.”  

“I worked hard to shape thehistoric climate lawto ensure it delivers real, lasting results to the unique challenges Arizona communities face. Thanks to our work, we’re proudly delivering $1 million to Gila County to invest in clean air — ensuring it remains a safe and healthy place to call home for generations to come,” said Sinema. 

The funds were awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving Cooperative Agreement and Environmental Justice Government-to-Government programs, which prioritizes resources for communities that have historically suffered from underinvestment to ensure access to clean air, water, and climate resilience. 

The Environmental Justice Government-to-Government (EJG2G) program provides funding at the state, local, territorial, and tribal level to support government activities that lead to measurable environmental or public health impacts in communities disproportionately burdened by environmental harms.