[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 180 (Tuesday, November 12, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6509-S6510]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CARDIN (for himself, Mr. Van Hollen, Ms. Warren, Mr. King, 
        Mr. Merkley, and Mrs. Feinstein):
  S. 2837. A bill to amend title 51, United States Code, to require a 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration initiative on reduction 
of greenhouse gas emissions and noise emissions from aircraft, and for 
other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation.

[[Page S6510]]

  

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, today, I am pleased to introduce new 
legislation called the Cleaner, Quieter Airplanes Act. This legislation 
sets an ambitious goal for accelerating the National Aeronautics & 
Space Administration's (NASA) important, ongoing work on electric 
aircraft propulsion and other technologies to be integrated on new 
aircraft that are both cleaner and quieter. It challenges us to bring 
about a transformational shift in our aviation industry to airplanes 
that produce less greenhouse gas pollution and less noise: 50 percent 
less by 2030 for regional transport aircraft and by 2040 for larger 
aircraft serving transcontinental markets.
  To achieve this goal, this bill proposes $1.2 billion in funding for 
NASA over six years, with a ramp-up and then a decline in the annual 
amounts. This funding will push NASA to accelerate its work and to 
expand its collaboration with industry partners to get this done.
  A growing number of Maryland citizens have expressed concerns about 
airplane noise in their communities. We all want a thriving aviation 
industry. Air travel is important to our way of life, and it is a key 
sector of our economy, accounting for more than 5 percent of our total 
gross domestic product (GDP) in 2014 and supporting more than 10 
million jobs.
  As air traffic volumes increase, however, we are increasing our 
communities' exposure to noise pollution that has an adverse impact on 
our quality of life. We need to find new solutions for supporting our 
need for air travel while addressing these concerns about noise.
  This legislation is also about finding new and innovative ways to 
fight climate change. Today, transportation is the leading source of 
greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Aviation accounts for 
approximately 3 percent of all emissions. Three percent may not sound 
like much, but consider that emissions from aviation are expected to 
triple by 2050 and could account for as much as 25 percent of global 
emissions. If we want to continue flying as we do now while protecting 
ourselves from the perils of climate change, now is the time to act.
  There is some exciting innovation happening right now, with companies 
working on new, electric aircraft technologies--including work by 
large, established companies and by smaller start-ups. We have heard 
from some of them, and two things they have said stand out.
  The first is that government-funded research undertaken by NASA is 
critical to the development and testing of new technologies in electric 
aircraft. The work that NASA does in collaboration with industry 
partners addresses a wide array of technical challenges, like how to 
make certain electrical components work at high altitudes and what 
sorts of air frame designs might best enable new kinds of propulsion.
  The second thing we hear is that if we do not act with greater 
urgency, we risk allowing other countries to pass us by in a critical 
industry. Europe, in particular, is moving quickly with strong 
government investments in research, development, and demonstration of 
new, electric aircraft technologies.
  If we fail to match this ambition and build these skills at home, we 
will be left out of this drive to innovate and our businesses and 
workers will be at a competitive disadvantage. This will become even 
more difficult as other countries embrace new, stricter standards for 
aircraft noise and greenhouse gas pollution.
  So there are a few reasons for the urgency behind this legislation. 
It responds to the need to support research and development in our 
aviation industry to remain competitive with other countries. It 
responds to the need for new ideas to combat climate change. And it 
responds to our need for air travel with fewer noise impacts on our 
neighborhoods. This legislation calls on our innovative spirit to 
produce a new generation of airplanes that are cleaner, quieter, and 
ultimately more sustainable, both for our environment and our economy.
  Thank you.

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