Bill signed by President Trump requires the FAA to reinstall outdated airplane noise mitigation systems in Massachusetts households
Revere/Winthrop/Medford/Malden—Today, Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark (MA-5) announced that the FY 2021 Appropriations bill signed into law on December 27 included the House’s mandate directing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to update certain outdated airplane noise insulation installed in households over 27 years ago. Congresswoman Clark utilized her position on the Appropriations Committee to secure the inclusion of this noise mitigation measure after ongoing efforts to reduce overflight noise and address impact concerns of surrounding residents.
“This is a major win for the many residents near Logan Airport who have endured far too many sleepless nights due to the high level of aviation noise in their communities,” said Congresswoman Katherine Clark MA (MA-5). “They shouldn’t be on the hook financially to replace outdated federally funded noise insulation when this equipment reaches the end of its useful life and with this law, we will be able to provide tranquility and financial support. I'm grateful to the state and local leaders who worked with me to secure this legislative achievement as part of our continuous work together on behalf of the Fifth District residents.”
“Airplane noise is a daily challenge facing the communities that surround Logan Airport, including Winthrop and Revere, and this funding provides some much needed relief, especially to those who reside in older homes,” said former House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D – Winthrop). “I’d like to thank Congresswoman Clark for her leadership on this issue, and Senator Boncore for his partnership on behalf of our communities.”
“I was overjoyed to learn that the recent federal COVID-19 relief legislation directs the FAA to update soundproof windows in our community,” said Senator Joe Boncore (D-Winthrop). “I deeply appreciate the work of the Airport Hazards Committee, and the collaboration with Congresswoman Clark and former Speaker DeLeo to address noise pollution, and its impact on environmental justice communities. I look forward to this measure coming to fruition.”
Over the last several decades, residents in certain communities surrounding Logan Airport were provided federally funded noise mitigation insulation to reduce the impact of aviation noise pollution. That sound mitigation insulation is now aging. The new 2021 Appropriations bill directs the FAA to update noise reduction equipment installed prior to 1993 to be “unmitigated” and to permit all affected residences with old and obsolete mitigation measures to be eligible for new insulation.