By Carlotta Mohamed
U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Flushing) announced on May 30 the House has passed measures to authorize the Jet Noise Reduction Program, an initiative within the U.S. Navy’s Office of Naval Research, to combat excessive aircraft noise over Queens and other affected communities.
Under the Jet Noise Reduction Program, engine noise of high-performance military aircrafts will be reduced, and breakthroughs that are made could possibly be applied to commercial jets, which would result in decreased airplane noise over communities such as Queens. Meng’s provision — which passed as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act — would direct the secretary of the Navy to share relevant noise reduction discoveries with the civilian aviation community.
“The Jet Noise Reduction Program has the potential to be a critical component in mitigating excessive aircraft noise over communities like Queens,” said Meng, a founding member and former co-chair of the Congressional Quiet Skies Caucus. “Excessive airplane noise remains a major issue that negatively impacts residents of our borough, and we must continue to take advantage of all opportunities — such as measures like this — that can help provide long-term solutions to the problem.”
Co-sponsors of Meng’s provision include U.S. Reps. Joseph Crowley (D-Jackson Heights), chairman of the House Democratic Caucus; Tom Suozzi (D-Little Neck); Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn); and Kathleen Rice (D-Nassau County). They are all members of the Quiet Skies Caucus, of which Suozzi is the current co-chair.
Crowley said authorizing the program will ensure relief to the thousands of families living in Queens and the Bronx that are burdened with blistering aircraft noise.
“This program is crucial to our efforts to reduce noise pollution in New York City,” said Crowley. “The U.S. military has always paved the way on technological breakthroughs in aviation, and I’m eager to work with our armed forces as they develop and deploy aircraft technologies that help combat the excessive noise that has plagued our communities.”
Meng originally secured the authorization of the Jet Noise Reduction Program in last year’s House-passed NDAA, but the measure was not included in the version passed by the Senate. She is hopeful that the provision will be in both versions this year.
The NDAA is the annual legislation that establishes funding levels and policies for the U.S. Department of Defense. The bill would take effect at the beginning of fiscal year 2018 which begins Oct. 1.
Reach reporter Carlotta Mohamed by e-mail at cmoha
