Rep. Speier Leads Congressional Effort to Combat Airport Noise, Improve Government Transparency

Statement

Today, Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA) and Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA), announced the introduction of five bills to mitigate the scourge of airport noise that plagues communities across the country. Rep. Speier introduced an additional three bills to further address health problems tied to this pernicious form of noise pollution that impacts residents in her congressional district.

"The nonstop noise from flights is seriously affecting residents' sleep, mental health, and overall quality of life," Rep. Speier said. "There is a certain expectation for noise when living near an airport, but this crosses a line. Residents who are at their wits' end have used every available public channel to address this issue to no avail. Our legislation would create new pathways for change and improve overall responsiveness by the FAA -- a public agency that has a responsibility to be accountable to the people. I appreciate all of the hard work and engagement from residents and local elected officials, as well as my colleagues in Congress, over the past several years. My constituents are long overdue for some peace and quiet."

"Additional congressional action is needed to address the excessive aircraft noise over my Congressional District, and it's why I've joined my Bay Area colleagues to introduce five bills to allow flight curfews; ensure community engagement in FAA flight procedure; make the FAA responsible for noise pollution; enhance Congressional oversight; and empower local governments," Rep. Eshoo said. "I won't give up on this issue until my constituents are relieved from the racket plaguing our communities."

"I have heard from constituents and I have heard the airplanes overhead, and I believe that the current noise levels in many communities on the central coast of California are far too high. That is why I am proud to join Representatives Speier and Eshoo to create new standards around airplane noise that respect the health, safety, and welfare of our communities," Rep. Panetta said. "These bills are effective solutions to provide the much needed relief for the residents of the Central Coast and people across the country who are affected by airport noise on a daily basis."

"Our constituents are exhausted by the intensified airline noise they are experiencing due to the implementation of NextGen," said San Mateo County Supervisor Dave Pine, a longtime member of the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) Community Roundtable and whose district includes SFO. "These bills seek to hold the FAA accountable for the noise and health impacts aircraft have on communities. The proposed voluntary nighttime curfew could provide some relief -- and maybe some sleep."

"These bills would remove all the roadblocks to progress that have existed for decades. Noise has never been a priority for the FAA. Noise has been magnified in recent years. As aviation continues to evolve, we have to keep in mind those below the aircraft," said South San Francisco Councilmember Mark Addiego.

To combat the bane of airport noise in affected communities, Rep. Speier has introduced the following three bills:

* Serious Noise Reduction Efforts Act (SNORE) Act: Establishes a program at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to noise insulate 200+ homes per year in specific areas or provide financial support to the cities impacted by noise.
* Southbound HUSSH and NIITE Help Households (SHHH) Act: Supports formally initiating and continuing the standard processing of the proposed San Francisco International Airport (SFO) NIITE Departure Southbound Transition and the Oakland International Airport (OAK) HUSSH Departure Southbound Transition.
* Low-frequency Energetic Acoustics and Vibrations Exasperate (LEAVE) Act: As an airplane leaves from an airport, its takeoff generates significant amounts of ground-based low-frequency noise and vibration impacting residents in the vicinity. The bill would lead to the establishment of standards and remedies related to ground-based noise (GBN). If enacted, the bill would permit a state cause of action for GBN if a state has undertaken a study of GBN at an airport, set a maximum, and the airport then exceeds the maximum, leading to substantial negative impacts on the community.

Rep. Speier was joined by Rep. Eshoo and Rep. Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) in the introduction of another five bills that focused on providing new methods to mitigate airport noise, prioritize health impacts of noise, and improve community engagement:

* Restore Everyone's Sleep Tonight (REST) Act: Allows airports, at their option, to impose a curfew, under specified circumstances, at any time between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
* All Participating in Process Reaching Informed Solutions for Everyone (APPRISE) Act: Ensures that community knowledge and input is represented in the FAA flight procedure design process. An aviation roundtable technical representative will be allowed to fully participate in the FAA procedure design process for procedures affecting their communities.
* Fairness in Airspace Includes Residents (FAIR) Act: Amends the FAA's prioritization of U.S. airspace use. Safety in managing U.S. airspace would remain the first priority. Secondary priorities would put noise and health impacts to residents and other environmental concerns on an equal basis with efficiency.
* Responsive Employees Support Productive Educated Congressional Talk (RESPECT) Act: Requires FAA staff to answer questions submitted in writing by Members of Congress relating to flight procedures or other data affecting their district within 90 days and requires FAA staff to appear at a meeting or town hall with a Member of Congress with 30 days' notice.
* Notified Officials to Inform Fully and Impel Educated Decisions (NOTIFIED) Act: If a new or modified flight path is proposed through the FAA Procedure Based Navigation (PBN) process, the FAA would be required to notify City Councils, Boards of Supervisors, Members of Congress, and Aviation Roundtables within 5 miles of the flight path in question.

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