Meng, Israel and Quigley Urge FAA to Reduce Aircraft Noise Level Metric

Press Release

U.S. Representatives Grace Meng (D-NY), Steve Israel (D-NY) and Mike Quigley (D-IL) today urged the head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to change the national standard at which the agency determines acceptable levels of aircraft noise.

In a letter to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, the lawmakers called for lowering the national noise level standard used to measure noise effects on individuals due to aviation activities. Reducing the current 65 decibel Day-Night Average Sound Level (DNL) to 55 DNL would help address concerns about excessive airplane noise. It would allow more residents to qualify for sound insulation programs and mitigate noise pollution in their homes. The change would also create the potential for further noise reduction improvements by the FAA in the future.

The 65 DNL has been in place since the 1970s when air traffic volume was far lower than it is today. The representatives contend the outdated metric no longer meets the needs of their communities because it does not accurately reflect the daily reality of noise pollution they face.

"The constant barrage of airplane noise over my district in Queens, New York continues to ruin the quality of life of my constituents," said Meng. "Time and again, the FAA has carelessly ignored the needs and concerns of the communities I represent by doing virtually nothing to address the problem of increased aircraft noise. That is why it's time to take this fight to the national level, and demanding a lower DNL is the best approach to securing relief from the blistering airplane noise that has plagued our area for far too long."

"Airplane noise is having a significant negative impact on the quality of life of too many of my constituents in Queens and Nassau County, and I know the problem isn't just confined to my district," said Israel. "That's why I'm joining colleagues from across the country who also have constituents suffering to call on the FAA to change the national standard at which the agency determines an acceptable level of noise from aircraft. It's time for the FAA to listen to the needs of our constituents and our communities, and we will continue fighting until they do so."

"My constituents back home in Chicago are facing unprecedented noise pollution that is eroding their quality of life and impacting their health," said Quigley. "Our residents can't get a decent night's sleep or even enjoy quality time outside with their children. These are families, not statistics, and they deserve a national standard that properly addresses the unacceptable amount of noise pollution they've come to experience day in and day out."