Aviation Noise and Emissions Mitigation Act
Aviation Noise and Emissions Mitigation Act creates two linked federal grant programs administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). First, a 3-year pilot grant program to measure aircraft and airport noise and emissions (including greenhouse gases, particulate matter, ultrafine particles, and air toxics) in communities near airports or flight paths. The data collection aims to identify specific sources and impacted neighborhoods, produce neighborhood/ZIP Code–level data, and establish a replicable, ongoing monitoring approach with broad stakeholder involvement. The second program, to begin after the final annual report from the monitoring phase, would fund mitigation efforts in the same impacted communities, prioritizing disadvantaged and environmentally burdened areas. Grants would support measures such as noise-reduction improvements, weatherization or energy upgrades, health and environmental public health services, and related interventions, with an emphasis on community involvement and coordination with local organizations and governments. The bill emphasizes data transparency and equity: data collected should be shareable and accessible, and mitigation efforts should reflect community input and environmental justice considerations. Eligible grant recipients include colleges, non-profit researchers, health institutions, and local governments, with a cap of six awards for the monitoring program and grant amounts of $2.5–$5 million for each award over three years. The mitigation grants would run for 3–5 years. Recipients must engage with local health departments, community groups, tribal governments, and other stakeholders, and reporting to Congress is required throughout and after the programs.
Key Points
- 1Establishes a 3-year EPA pilot grant program to measure and attribute aircraft and airport noise and emissions near airports and flight pathways, including tracing to specific sources and identifying affected neighborhoods.
- 2Grants require advanced data collection capable of wedge analysis to identify major contributors, with neighborhood and ZIP Code–level data and replication potential for nationwide use; extensive community engagement and dissemination requirements.
- 3Eligible recipients for the monitoring program include higher education institutions, non-profit research entities, health organizations, and local governments, with up to 6 awards and grant amounts from $2.5 million to $5 million for the 3-year period.
- 4After the final annual report from the monitoring program, a separate pilot mitigation program would be established to address noise and emissions impacts, prioritizing disadvantaged and environmental-justice communities and requiring community involvement.
- 5Mitigation grants can fund noise reduction and energy upgrades (weatherization, retrofits, etc.), public health and environmental health services, and health interventions targeting affected populations, including children and vulnerable groups, for 3–5 years.
- 6Strong emphasis on environmental justice tools and mapping (e.g., Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool) to guide targeting and assessment; extensive reporting requirements to Congress.