The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has given the go ahead for a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) study to re-examine the current metric used to determine acceptable aircraft noise pollution, Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL) announced Monday.
“Every day, residents in Illinois’ Fifth District face the damaging effects of unprecedented noise pollution," Quigley said. "Addressing this sound pollution requires swift and urgent action from all levels of government. The current standard the FAA uses to determine acceptable noise levels is outdated and does not accurately reflect the noise pollution that my constituents are experiencing."
Quigley secured a commitment from OMB Director Shaun Donovan to expedite the study's approval. It will be used by the FAA to determine if the current 65 decibel Day-Night Average Sound Level (DNL) metric should be changed to address excessive airplane noise.
"OMB’s approval of the DNL study brings us one step closer to providing residents with much needed relief," Quigley said. 'However, this study alone is not enough to address the negative consequences on the health, well-being and property values of my constituents caused by increased airplane noise. I will continue to use my role as an appropriator to hold the FAA accountable and push for comprehensive long and short term solutions that my constituents deserve.”
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