# Plain Language Summary: Cleaner, Quieter Airplanes Act

This bill directs NASA to launch a major research program focused on developing new airplane technologies that produce less pollution and make less noise. Right now, airplanes contribute about 3 percent of global carbon emissions, and that number is expected to triple by 2050 if nothing changes. At the same time, people living near airports deal with significant noise pollution from aircraft. This bill aims to tackle both problems by having NASA invest in research and testing of cleaner, quieter airplane technologies.

The bill sets some ambitious goals for the aviation industry. NASA's research should work toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions from new aircraft by at least 50 percent compared to the best-performing planes currently in service, with a long-term target of completely eliminating emissions from aircraft by 2050. On the noise front, the goal is to develop planes that are so quiet they don't exceed the natural background noise in areas where they fly. The bill also calls for demonstrating these new technologies on actual regional aircraft by 2030 and on larger passenger planes by 2040.

To achieve these goals, NASA will focus research on several promising technologies, including electric and hybrid-electric engines, hydrogen fuel cells, improved engine designs, and better airplane shapes and structures. The bill emphasizes partnerships with aircraft manufacturers, universities, small businesses, and new companies entering the aviation field. NASA is also required to share its research findings with the Federal Aviation Administration so regulators can figure out what new rules and infrastructure might be needed to safely use these technologies on commercial flights.

The practical impact of this bill is that it could lead to quieter skies for communities near airports and cleaner air overall as aviation becomes more environmentally friendly. However, these are long-term goals—the earliest real-world changes in commercial aircraft probably won't happen until the 2030s and 2040s. The bill requires NASA to report annually to Congress on progress, so there will be public tracking of whether the research is actually delivering results.

Cleaner, Quieter Airplanes Act

Beyer, Donald S.

Cleaner, Quieter Airplanes Act This bill directs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to establish an initiative to research, develop, and demonstrate new technologies and concepts to reduce emissions and noise from aviation. Emissions to be addressed include carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), water vapor, black carbon, and sulfate aerosols. The goals and objectives of the initiative shall include <ul> <li>ensuring U.S. leadership in research and technology innovation leading to substantial reductions in aviation noise and greenhouse gas emissions, </li> <li>a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from new aircraft by at least 50% as compared to the highest-performing aircraft technologies in service as of December 31, 2021,</li> <li>net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft by 2050, and </li> <li> demonstrating new technologies developed pursuant to the initiative on regional aircraft intended to enter into service by 2030 and single-aisle aircraft designed to accommodate more than 125 passengers intended to enter into service by 2040.</li> </ul>