Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse submitted nine amendments to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill, which would address common aviation concerns, including reducing noise pollution and increasing the use of unleaded fuel.
One of the amendments the Congressman filed would require the Community Collaboration Program to directly interview impacted residents, to make certain that affected residents have a voice in airport planning, noise, and environmental issues.
This amendment is included in the final text of the FAA reauthorization bill, and reflects numerous conversations and extensive collaboration with constituents and leaders across Colorado’s 2nd District, ensuring local voices are heard in Washington. The Congressman filed eight other amendments to address airplane noise and safety issues, but they were not ruled in order by the Republican-controlled House Rules Committee.
“No one should have to suffer the consequences of undue noise or environmental pollution, which is why I am disappointed that most of these amendments were improperly ruled out of order by House Republicans,” said Congressman Neguse. “However, our work is not done. I will continue to work closely with my constituents and community leaders to push for legislation that will improve the quality of life in our district.”
The additional eight amendments Congressman Neguse submitted would:
- Study the effect of climate change, infrastructure resiliency, and rural access to aviation, among other challenges, on aviation safety and freedom of movement.
- Spur innovation by fostering collaboration between the FAA and NASA, so we can continue to find solutions to noise and sustainable aviation fuels.
- Give General Aviation Airports the authority to impose certain aircraft noise-related restrictions. Under current law, airports must undergo a lengthy and difficult approval process with the FAA before pursuing mandatory noise-based restrictions, such as a curfew or restrictions on flight operations, which very few airports can do successfully. By granting this authority, local airports will be better equipped to respond to noise pollution concerns of impacted communities and be able to take meaningful action.
- Ensure community members have their voices heard in discussions about low-altitude routes and flight procedures.
- Evaluate the efficiency and efficacy of commercial planes flying in congested airspace, including those in flight training or flying recreationally.
- Research alternatives to jet fuels to improve the health of Coloradans.
- Promote collaboration between the Department of Transportation, the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and NASA to develop innovative technologies to increase the use of unleaded aviation fuel and reduce aircraft noise.
- Establish an advisory committee that includes community stakeholders and to advise the FAA on issues related to aircraft noise.
Since taking office in 2019, Congressman Neguse has led many efforts to reduce noise pollution in his district. In 2019, he wrote a letter to the director of RMMA urging immediate action to reduce noise pollution. Over the years, the Congressman put forth legislation, led letters, and held a town hall to tackle this challenge, and he has urged the FAA to send a representative to Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport’s Community Noise Roundtable meetings to ensure the FAA understands the seriousness of this issue.