Introduction of the Decrease Noise Level Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to announce the introduction of the Decrease Noise Level Act.

For millions of Americans, noise from aircraft is a constant source of torment, whether they live right near an airport or under a regular flight path. Chronic exposure to excessive noise can lead to sleep deprivation, task interruptions, among other negative consequences, which result in untold costs on society in diminished work productivity.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) currently uses a Day-Night average noise level to assess the level at which noise exposure becomes ``significant'' in residential communities. However, the level that the FAA has currently deemed acceptable is 65, a full 10 decibels higher than what Europe allows.

FAA's use of 65 DNL as ``significant' is based on severe and immediate health impacts, at which point damage has already been done. It is essential that the FAA considers quality of life, long-term health impacts, home values, and overall economic impact. I believe reasonable noise congestion levels should be based on a standard that falls well before the point at which long-term health is impacted.

That is why I am introducing the Decrease Noise Level (DNL) Act--a bill that would require the FAA to immediately lower the level of noise that is considered ``significant'' to 60, and create a plan to lower it to 55 within 10 years. It would also require community outreach from the FAA to promote its recent study that considers alternatives to the DNL as a metric to measure noise.

I urge my colleagues to join me to pass this important legislation.

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