WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) announced the reintroduction of the bipartisan Quiet Communities Act (H.R.5151), a measure to help combat aircraft noise over Queens and other impacted areas around the country.

The bill would require that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) take over efforts to mitigate aircraft noise over communities near airports, moving this responsibility from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The EPA's Office of Nosie Abatement and Control (ONAC) was defunded in 1981 by the Regan Administration due to budget cuts. However, the Quiet Communities Act would reopen this office.

"Airplane noise pollution is a persistent quality-of-life issue that residents in Queens and communities across the country shouldn't be forced to deal with day and night," said Congresswoman Meng. "For years, constituents in my communities I represent have been calling for something to be done about the excessive noise they are experiencing. My Quiet Communities Act would address these problems by reopening the Nosie Abatement and Control Office at the EPA. By allowing the EPA to head up the airplane noise battle, it ensures that the federal government addresses this issue from an environmental perspective."

Although airplane noise has long existed over Queens due to the proximity of New York City's airports, the increased sounds of jets significantly increased in 2012 when the FAA implemented new flight patterns over the borough. These routes, which are for airplanes departing LaGuardia, have increased the frequency of flights over residential neighborhoods in Queens, and the substantial rise in aircraft noise has negatively impacted borough residents.

This legislation was introduced in the House with 21 cosponsors including Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Salud Carabajal (D-CA) , Ed Case (D-HI), Sean Casten (D-IL), Judy Chu (D-CA), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Dan Goldman (D-NY), Mike Levin (D-CA), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Dave Min (D-CA), Kevin Mullin (D-CA), Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Joe Neguse (D-CO), Norton-Holmes (D-DC), Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Scott Peters (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Tom Suozzi (D-NY), and Shri Thanedar (D-MI). It must be approved by the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure before it can be brought to the floor for a vote.

A copy of the bill can be viewed here.