On Thursday, May 21, 2009 Rep. Carolyn McCarthy voted for the passage of the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2009, H.R. 915. The bill passed the House by a vote 277-136 and will provide $70 billion for the FAA for the next four years.
Rep. McCarthy worked to include an important provision in the bill that calls for a study of airport noise for the New York area airports. Specifically, the bill calls for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to complete an Airport Noise Compatibility Planning Study, known as a Part 150 study, for LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy and Newark Liberty International Airports.
"Airport noise is a serious and consistent problem for many families living in the New York metropolitan area, and this provision will help to examine the issue closely to determine the best course of action moving forward," said
Rep. McCarthy.
The bill also includes language to allow funds to be used for the soundproofing of certain homes and residential buildings, as well as schools, near airports and takes steps to make airplanes quieter and produce fewer emissions.
Additionally, the FAA reauthorization bill will make New York area airports safer, modernize the nation's air traffic control systems, and institute important consumer protections.
"This bill is an important step in the right direction toward modernizing our nation's aviation infrastructure and will help to make the communities surrounding our area's busiest airports safer, quieter and cleaner," said Rep. McCarthy.