The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has allocated a $500,000 grant to La Mujer Obrera, an El Paso-based community group. This funding is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s American Rescue Plan aimed at addressing environmental and health disparities exacerbated by pollution and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance expressed appreciation for La Mujer Obrera's efforts, stating, “For over 40 years, La Mujer Obrera has fought for the health and well-being of their neighbors in the Chamizal community of El Paso. With this funding, La Mujer Obrera can address air quality concerns head-on and provide real-time data to residents.”
Congresswoman Veronica Escobar also highlighted the significance of this initiative: “Historic amounts of federal funding have given El Paso the opportunity to innovate, improve, and invest in infrastructure that prioritizes public health and reduces pollution.”
Lorena Andrade, Executive Director of La Mujer Obrera, emphasized the importance of collaboration with residents: “This is a step forward in addressing the environmental justice problems that have created a public health crisis in the Chamizal. We have the right to a safe community for our children, elders, and future generations.”
La Mujer Obrera plans to deploy air monitors in Chamizal to develop a mitigation plan based on collected data. The project will include a block-by-block air quality assessment and educational initiatives about hazardous pollutants specific to certain communities.
The initiative is set as a multi-year project concluding in 2027. By then, it aims to incorporate mitigation strategies into neighborhood planning with expected improvements in public health and air quality.
