Peninsula Lawmakers Push Bills To Curb Airport Noise

SAN MATEO, CA — Two Peninsula state lawmakers helped introduce legislation last week in an effort to mitigate airport noise and other concerns for residents who live near flight paths.

Congresswomen Jackie Speier (D-San Mateo) and Anna Eshoo (D-Palo Alto), along with Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley), are pushing a package of legislation that would “prioritize noise and other environmental concerns, establish an option for nighttime curfews, expand residential noise mitigation, and improve overall transparency and responsiveness by the FAA,” Speier said in a statement.

“San Francisco and Peninsula residents are long overdue for some relief from the constant barrage of flights overhead,” Speier added.

One of the bills directly addresses San Francisco International Airport and would establish a program to insulate over 200 homes a year in specific areas, or provide financial support to cities impacted by noise.

The lawmakers said that the Federal Aviation Administration has been slow to act despite recent studies showing an increase in noise complaints among residents living near SFO.

“Because of the FAA’s inability to act, the need for legislation is urgent, and it’s why I’m proud to join with Representatives Speier and Panetta to reintroduce these bills that will address noise and bring much needed relief to our constituents,” Eshoo said.

Other bills in the package would allow airports to impose a curfew and require FAA staff to answer questions from lawmakers and appear at meetings and town halls.

Click here to view summaries of all the proposed legislation.