EPA Announces More than $1 Million for MSU and Michigan Tech to Examine Extreme Weather Impacts

Press release:

CONTACT: Joshua Singer, 312-353-5069, singer.joshua@epa.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   No. 12-OPA073

EPA Announces More than $1 Million for MSU and Michigan Tech to Examine Extreme Weather Impacts

(CHICAGO – August 27, 2012) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced more than $1 million for Michigan State University and Michigan Technological University to research the impact of extreme weather on water and air quality.

Michigan State in East Lansing was awarded a $750,000 grant to quantify the relationship between extreme weather events and harmful algal blooms and to predict the effects of climate change on algal blooms and water quality. Increases in water temperature with more frequent and severe floods and droughts could worsen water quality. Using satellite images and water quality models, researchers will help to improve long-term water quality management.
Michigan Tech in Houghton was awarded a $374,960 grant to research projected changes in weather such as heat waves, lightning and lightning-caused wildfires, and their impact on air quality. Researchers will attempt to quantify the impact of extreme weather on particulate matter and smog, which can harm human health.

“It’s important to understand how extreme weather events affect air and water quality,” said Bob Kavlock, deputy assistant administrator for science for EPA’s Office of Research and Development.

Over the past several months, EPA has awarded nearly $9 million to 14 projects to research and develop tools and technologies that help prepare air and water quality management systems for extreme weather. For more information about the projects: http://www.epa.gov/ncer/xevents.