WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), chair of the House Aviation Subcommittee, Rep. Kim Schrier (WA-08), a member of the New Democrats’ Climate Change Task Force, and Rep. Sharice Davids (KS-03), vice chair of the House Aviation Subcommittee, introduced legislation to provide a foundation for climate change mitigation practices and technologies in the civil aviation and aerospace sectors. The National Evaluation of Aviation and Aerospace Solutions to Climate Change Act directs the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to create a database of and report on current climate change mitigation efforts in aviation and aerospace.

“Climate change threatens life on Earth, and addressing this threat is one of my top priorities in Congress,” said Rep. Larsen. “Washington’s Second District is home to the largest aviation manufacturing base in the country and the Pacific Northwest is at the forefront of developing and adopting new technologies to reduce emissions in aviation and create more jobs. Airlines are working to develop greener technologies and reach net-zero emissions, but there is much more work to be done. This bill will help catalog those efforts, identify barriers to the adoption of mitigation efforts and serve as a roadmap for the steps the aviation and aerospace sector must take to achieve a 100 percent clean economy by 2050.”

“The aviation and aerospace industries are major drivers of Washington state’s economy,” said Rep. Schrier. “As our climate continues to change, we must develop strategies that will keep this work sector active in Washington’s economy while also protecting the environment. At some airports, planes are plugged in instead of being left to idle on the tarmac. Common sense solutions along with innovative strategies are needed to develop comprehensive solutions to address climate change. I am very happy to partner with my friend and fellow Washingtonian Rick Larsen on this legislation.”

“While the aerospace industry has undergone efforts to increase efficiency and address the impacts of climate change, it’s important Congress has a clear understanding of those efforts and their effectiveness, so we can take any needed action to protect our climate for future generations. I thank Chairman Larsen for his commitment to this issue, and I’m glad to join him in sponsoring this legislation,” said Rep. Davids. 

The National Evaluation of Aviation and Aerospace Solutions to Climate Change Act instructs the DOT to partner with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (“National Academies”) to study, catalogue and report on “technologies, processes, materials or practices that contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.”

Larsen’s legislation also requires the National Academies to find gaps in existing emissions reduction efforts and barriers to expanding these efforts and develop recommendations to improve climate change mitigation.

“The Port of Seattle is grateful for U.S. Representatives Larsen, Schrier and Davids for their leadership on this issue — it’s critical we work together to fight climate change by reducing greenhouse gases,” said Port of Seattle Commission President Peter Steinbrueck. “That is why the Port of Seattle has committed to working with our airline partners and the aviation industry to achieve carbon emission reductions in a wide variety of ways – from electrification of ground support equipment to pre-compressed air at all gates – while working to achieve at least ten percent blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for all airlines at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport by 2027. SAF not only can reduce greenhouses gases by up to 80 percent but can also improve air quality in our surrounding communities. We look forward to working with Representative Larsen and Congress to move forward on these important efforts.”

“I commend Chair Larsen, Vice Chair Davids and Rep. Schrier for their leadership on environmental issues,” said American Association of Airport Executives Senior Vice President Brad Van Dam. “Airport operators are dedicated to being good stewards of the environment, and this effort will help illustrate how airports are working diligently on environmental and sustainability issues.”

To read the National Evaluation of Aviation and Aerospace Solutions to Climate Change Act, click here.

To read about Larsen’s efforts to combat climate change, click here.