Washington D.C. — United States Representatives Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Anna Eshoo (CA-16), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), and Brad Sherman (CA-32) introduced several pieces of legislation to reduce excessive jet noise and ensure accountability from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in addressing community concerns.
In 2017, the FAA implemented the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) which changed the routes of airplanes on their approach to several airports in California. Unfortunately, this subjected certain communities to increased commercial jet flights and jet noise. These legislative introductions follow the single busiest day for air travel in American history, further underscoring the need for commonsense action to improve quality of life in communities located near flight paths.
“Excessive jet noise greatly impacts the quality of life for people who live near or under flightpaths to airports,” said Rep. Panetta. “That’s why I continue to work with my colleagues in Congress for straightforward policy changes that would help make skies quieter and ensure more community input in the aviation decisions for flight patterns. I look forward to working on this type of legislation that is important for the health, safety, and sanity of many people who live all across the state of California.”
“Since the FAA implemented NextGen in 2015, there has been an unprecedented increase in aircraft noise over communities throughout my Congressional District,” said Rep. Eshoo. “Excessive noise isn’t just a nuisance. It can cause serious and severe health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, or hearing loss, which is why my colleagues and I are introducing legislation that will require the FAA to prioritize noise reduction in addition to prioritizing aviation safety. These are commonsense solutions that will bring much needed relief and wellbeing to our constituents.”
“Research has shown that chronic, loud noise is more than just an annoyance: it interrupts sleep, damages hearing, and can increase the risk of hypertension, stroke, and heart attacks. I’m proud to introduce this airplane noise legislative package with my California colleagues to address this important health and safety concern affecting those living and working near SFO,” said Rep. Mullin. “This legislation requires the FAA to prioritize noise-related health impacts, enables communities to engage with the FAA, establishes standards related to ground-based noise, and establishes a program at SFO to insulate hundreds of homes per year and to provide financial support to cities affected by noise. San Francisco and Peninsula residents are long overdue for some relief and deserve peaceful sleep.”
“I’m proud to join my colleagues to create new process requirements for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that will better address the needs of our constituents,” said Rep. Cárdenas. “With three distinct airports in my district, I believe these bills provide commonsense solutions that will help address the noise concerns our constituents have expressed for years, improve requirements for the release of vital information to local communities and authorities, and grant airports more of a say over critical flight procedures, which ultimately have a major impact on the health and environmental in surrounding neighborhoods.”
“Increases in air traffic and adjustments to flight paths continue to cause serious injury to the quality of life in neighborhoods throughout my own district and in many other areas around the country,” said Rep. Sherman. “That’s why as a Member of the Congressional Quiet Skies Caucus, I will continue to support legislative efforts to reform the FAA and to protect the quality of life of residents whether they live next door or miles from any airport.”
Congress is expected to consider the reauthorization of FAA aviation safety and infrastructure programs before the end of the year. This legislative package will set aviation policy for the next five years.
Reps. Panetta, Eshoo, Mullin, Cárdenas, and Sherman introduced the following pieces of legislation to ensure quieter skies:
The “Restore Everyone’s Sleep Tonight Act” or the “REST Act” (Panetta)
Legislation which would authorize an airport to impose an access restriction between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. for aircraft.
The “All Participating in Process Reaching Informed Solutions for Everyone Act” or the “APPRISE Act” (Panetta)
Legislation which would require the FAA to ensure that an aviation roundtable technical representative or consultant is allowed to participate in the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) performance-based navigation implementation process for new or modified flight procedures affecting their communities.
The “Responsive Employees Support Productive Educated Congressional Talk Act” or the “RESPECT Act” (Panetta)
Legislation which would require the FAA to respond in writing within 90 days to requests for data and information from Congress.
The “Notify Officials To Inform Fully and Impel Educated Decisions Act” or the “NOTIFIED Act” (Panetta)
Legislation which would require the FAA to notify the public of any proposed new Performance Based Navigation flight procedure or flight procedure change affecting airspace at altitudes below 18,000 feet.
Additionally, Reps. Panetta, Eshoo, Mullin, and Cárdenas introduced:
The “Fairness in Airspace Includes Residents Act” or the “F-AIR Act” (Eshoo)
Legislation that would revise the priorities of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in developing plans and policies for the use of navigable airspace to ensure safety, noise, health impacts, and environmental concerns are properly addressed.
Lastly, Reps. Panetta, Eshoo, and Mullin, all Bay Area members, introduced legislation specifically aimed at addressing issues with San Francisco International Airport (SFO):
The “Serious Noise Reduction Efforts Act” or the “SNORE Act” (Mullin)
Legislation that would address noise mitigation through soundproofing and other strategies in the communities surrounding San Francisco International Airport.
###