News and Updates – FAA Seeks Applications for Grants to Reduce Airports' Environmental Impacts
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is accepting pre-applications from airports for the Environmental Mitigation Pilot Program. The program will fund up to six projects that will measurably reduce or mitigate aviation impacts on noise, air quality or water quality at an airport or within five miles of the airport.
Public-use airport operators have until July 9, 2021, to submit a pre-application to the FAA. Projects submitted must be carried out by a joint team consisting of at least two of the following organizations:
- private sector business;
- public or private educational or research organization;
- state or local government entities; or federal laboratories.
- business must be incorporated in the U.S.; educational or research organizations and governments must be located in the U.S.
The pre-application must contain the scope of the project, describe the new environmental mitigation techniques or technologies that have been proven in laboratory demonstrations, and describe the roles and responsibilities of each entity involved in the program.
After reviewing all applications, the FAA will fund up to six projects in 2022 and 2023 that provide the greatest environmental benefits. The cost of each project cannot exceed $2.5 million. The federal share of the project cost is 50 percent with the selected airports providing the other 50 percent. Airports must complete projects within 24 months of receiving the grants.
Section 190 of the Reauthorization Act of 2018 required the FAA to create a pilot program for environmental mitigation. Grants are made from the noise and environmental set-aside of the Airport Improvement Program.
