Congresswoman Nikema Williams & Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Make Aviation More Environmentally Friendly

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) introduced the Aviation Emissions Reduction Opportunity (AERO) Act, legislation to reduce air pollution, spur clean energy job growth, and spark innovation across the country. Congressmen Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) are joining Congresswoman Williams in leading the AERO Act. This legislation will provide $1.5 billion in grant funding over a five-year period that will support sustainable aviation fuel and technology to reduce aviation noise, moving the aviation sector toward a net zero-emission, more environmentally friendly future.

Click here for the text of the AERO Act.

Congresswoman Williams, a member of the Aviation Subcommittee on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee said:

"I represent Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the world's busiest and most efficient airport, and I live close enough to it to hear planes fly over every 60 seconds. My neighbors, constituents, and I know firsthand just how much reducing aviation pollution and noise matters to people on the ground. With the Inflation Reduction Act, Congress and President Biden have made historic investments to create a cleaner aviation future, but we are only just getting started. The AERO Act will provide long-term funding for programs that create cleaner skies, quieter neighborhoods, and good-paying union jobs."

Congressman Larsen, Chair of the Aviation Subcommittee on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee said:

"Aviation and aerospace are responsible for as much as 9 percent of carbon emissions in U.S. transportation. These emissions negatively impact communities near the nation's airports. The production and distribution of cleaner fuels, such as sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), will help reduce and mitigate these emissions. I am grateful to Congresswoman Williams for her efforts to reduce and mitigate air pollution from aviation and aerospace. Our bill will build on the Inflation Reduction Act by providing additional funding for SAF production, distribution and transportation while implementing important worker and wage protections."

Congressman Fitzpatrick said:

"As a member of the Aviation subcommittee, I am committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to improve the competitiveness of our country's aviation industry while finding solutions that protect our environment for future generations. This legislation will expand the incorporation of sustainable aviation fuels into the industry and will promote effective emissions-reduction practices for years to come."

Sara Nelson, International President of the Association of Flight Attendants said:

"Extreme weather and severe turbulence caused by the climate crisis are already disrupting Flight Attendants' jobs and our lives. We must act with urgency to reach net zero. The AERO Act will help break our dependence on fossil fuels and reduce our industry's carbon footprint, protecting aviation, aviation workers, and our children."

John Holler, Senior Program Officer for Climate Cooperation & Sustainable Fuels, World Wildlife Fund said:

"We must shift the aviation sector's reliance on fossil fuels if we are to address climate change. High-quality, sustainable synthetic and bio-based aviation fuel, electrification, and more efficient aircraft are needed to decarbonize the industry. The AERO Act uses proven tools to bring these innovative technologies to market faster and will help us meet our climate goals."

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