Rep. Harley Rouda Aims To Lower Aircraft Noise In Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach CA

19 October, 2020

8:36 PM

Description

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — Congressman Harley Rouda a new bill to help lower aircraft noise by incentivizing the purchase of cleaner and quieter aircraft, his office reported Monday. The legislation was inspired by community efforts, which culminated in the formation of the Coastal Orange County Aircraft Noise Mitigation Task Force. The task force, led by Rouda, brought together key stakeholders to reduce aircraft noise and improve collaboration to enact meaningful change. "For years, coastal Orange County residents have raised concerns regarding disruptive aircraft noise," said Rouda. "During my first term in Congress, I am proud to have brought together key stakeholders to reduce aircraft noise and improve collaboration to enact meaningful change. Since the creation of the task force, I am pleased to report I have heard positive feedback from constituents who have noticed the impact of the changes already implemented due to our communities' collaboration with air carriers." "Over the past several months, the Coastal Orange County Aircraft Noise Mitigation Task Force has worked together to advance common-sense solutions to provide relief to impacted Orange County residents and improve collaboration among all parties. I greatly appreciate the participation of air carriers operating out of SNA Airport, who have been gracious partners in this work to address community concerns, even amidst the incredible strain on the aviation industry caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This progress would not have been possible without this work by the airlines. "I also would like to thank the following individuals for their critical participation in this task force: Mayor Katrina Foley, City of Costa Mesa; Mayor Lyn Semeta and Councilman Patrick Brenden, City of Huntington Beach; Mayor Bob Whalen, City of Laguna Beach; Mayor Laurie Davies, City of Laguna Niguel; Councilman Jeff Herdman, City of Newport Beach; and Representatives from SNA Airport and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), who served as technical advisors. In Laguna Beach, Mayor Bob Whalen spoke out on the noise issue which has long plagued his seaside community. "The City of Laguna Beach greatly appreciates the efforts of Congressman Rouda to put together this working group to discuss airport noise issues with key stakeholders," said Whalen. "The willingness of the airlines and the FAA to participate collaboratively in an open dialogue has been valuable and we are open to continuing this discussion to identify methods to reduce airport noise while maintaining air traffic safety in the area." "Residents of California's 48th district have been enduring the negative health, noise, and pollution impacts from the ongoing operational expansion of John Wayne Airport for decades," said Sue Dvorak of Citizens Against Airport Noise & Pollution (CAANP). "It has been an uphill battle to get our elected officials to take decisive action -- until Congressman Rouda took office in 2019. Congressman Rouda has been a strong advocate for his constituents by taking an active role in the Quiet Skies Caucus and by leading the way to form a task force to address the health and quality of life impacts on residents. I look forward to his continued efforts on these issues in DC as well as further partnership among our communities, the airlines, and the FAA to yield positive changes for residents." Rouda added: "I am also thankful for the tireless work of our local activists, whose work was instrumental in creating change to reduce aircraft noise." --- Representative Rouda Leading Legislative Action on Aircraft Noise: H.R. 8589, the Aviation Industry Assistance for Cleaner and Quieter Skies Act Introduced this bill to create a voucher program to help offset the purchase or cost of a lease of fuel-efficient, quieter aircraft in exchange for commitments from air carriers to decommission currently used aircraft with higher carbon emissions and sell such aircraft for recycling of parts or disposal. This bill passed as an amendment to H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act, in July 2020. H.R. 5450, the Cleaner, Quieter Airplanes Act Cosponsored this bill to accelerate research at NASA to achieve significant noise and emissions reductions by 2040. H.R. 6038, the Aviation-Impacted Communities Act Cosponsored this bill to expand federal investment in aircraft noise mitigation activities in aviation-impacted communities. Federal Funding As Congress works to complete the appropriations process for Fiscal Year 2021, Representative Rouda has championed increased federal investment in the following programs critical to addressing aircraft noise and pollution that were included in the House-passed Transportation-Housing and Urban Development funding bill: A $5 million increase for the FAA to hire additional staff to increase the FAA's community engagement capacity, including participating in community roundtables and meetings with local officials; A $3 million increase to support the Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) program to reduce noise at its source—the aircraft engine; and A $100 million for the Airport Improvement Program, whose eligible activities include noise projects.