May 23, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 87 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E659-E660]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     QUIET COMMUNITIES ACT OF 2019

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GRACE MENG

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 23, 2019

  Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the millions of 
Americans who suffer from noise pollution caused by aircrafts. Noise 
from aircraft is a constant source of torment, even if you don't live 
right near an airport, but 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.
   That is why today, I introduced the ``Quiet Communities Act of 
2019''. This bill would reestablish the Office of Noise Abatement and 
Control (ONAC) in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Noise 
abatement programs across the country currently lie dormant. While the 
EPA retains the authority to study noise effects and make 
recommendations to mitigate these effects and limit environmental 
exposure to noise, it is unable to practically do so without a 
functioning ONAC.
   As population growth and air traffic continue to increase, noise 
pollution is likely to become an even greater problem in the future. 
Currently, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is tasked with air 
transport-related noise concerns. It is responsible for developing 
flight paths and regulating the airline industry, but the FAA neither 
has the resources nor the mission priorities to adequately address 
intolerable levels of noise.
   Madam Speaker, it is time to allow the EPA the resources it requires 
to resume its role in combating noise pollution and include flight

[[Page E660]]

noise in its jurisdiction by re-establishing ONAC. This bill would also 
require the EPA Administrator to carry out a study of airport noise and 
examine the FAA's selection of noise measurement methodologies, health 
impact thresholds, and abatement program effectiveness.
   Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this critical 
legislation--so that Congress does its part to help alleviate the 
aviation noise issues that impacts the health and welfare of Americans 
across our nation.

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