Bill Overview
Title: AERO Act
Description: This bill requires the Department of Transportation to award competitive grants for projects in the United States that support the production and deployment of sustainable aviation fuel or the development of low-emission aviation technologies. Eligible grantees include, among others, state or local governments, air carriers, and research institutions. None of the funds made available may be used for a project unless all of the iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in the project are produced in the United States, subject to waivers where inconsistent with the public interest, where not produced in sufficient quantities or satisfactory quality, or where such inclusion will increase the cost of the project by more than 25%. The bill also reauthorizes through FY2027 the Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions, and Noise Program of the Federal Aviation Administration.
Sponsors: Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals connected to or affected by the aviation industry, environmental policies, and air travel.
Estimated Size: 2000000
- The AERO Act focuses on reducing aviation emissions, which primarily involves the aviation industry, including aircraft manufacturers, airlines, and related businesses.
- By providing grants for sustainable aviation fuels and low-emission technologies, the act aims to impact those involved in researching, producing, and implementing these technologies.
- State or local governments, as potential grantees, will be engaged in implementing projects related to sustainable aviation within their jurisdictions.
- The reauthorization of the Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions, and Noise Program by the FAA indicates an impact on policies affecting air traffic and therefore indirectly affects passengers.
- Efforts to reduce emissions have global environmental benefits, hence societies outside the U.S. could also be impacted by broader environmental improvements.
Reasoning
- The AERO Act is designed to impact primarily the aviation industry and related sectors such as manufacturing and research focused on sustainable fuels and technologies.
- It indirectly impacts communities and states involved in implementing and supporting these projects, as well as passengers through potential changes in airline operations and environmental impacts.
- The use of domestic materials requirement targets U.S. manufacturing sectors, affecting their workforce and production lines.
- The global environmental impacts of reduced aviation emissions could contribute to broader societal well-being, even if indirectly.
- The available budget will limit the breadth of initial implementation, focusing primarily on key grant-winning projects with potential for larger-scale future effects.
Simulated Interviews
Aerospace Engineer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think the AERO Act is a step in the right direction. It should help drive innovation in our field.
- The grant opportunities may allow us to push the boundaries of what we can achieve with sustainable aviation technology.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Air Industry Consultant (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The AERO Act should increase demand for my services as airlines look to adapt to the new opportunities and requirements.
- Potential impact on job security and workload is substantial and exciting.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Professor of Environmental Science (Chicago, IL)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act aligns well with the direction of my research, provides opportunities for growth.
- Potential increase in research funding is an exciting possibility.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Airline Pilot (Dallas, TX)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a positive step but I'm worried about how the costs of implementation might affect the airlines.
- The environmental benefits are encouraging if truly realized.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Steel Manufacturer (Detroit, MI)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It could mean more business if we supply materials for projects benefiting from the act.
- Supports the local economy by stipulating domestic material use.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Environmental Activist (Boulder, CO)
Age: 21 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The AERO Act is a win for the environment, but it's only a start.
- Worried about actual enforcement and long-term commitment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Travel Agent (Miami, FL)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The costs might increase airfare, which could affect my business.
- Environmentally it's a great step, but it has to be balanced with consumer affordability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Retired (Boston, MA)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Glad to see policies addressing emissions from air travel, though direct impact on my life might be limited.
- Hopefully, it leads to better travel experiences environmentally.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Startup CEO (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 33 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The AERO Act can help kickstart pioneering work in sustainable aviation fuels.
- The competitive grant nature is good but ensures we can really present a well-argued case.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Marketing Manager at Airline (New York, NY)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is exactly the kind of initiative we need to leverage in our brand strategy.
- It helps align corporate goals with environmental goals.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $200000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $250000000)
Year 2: $210000000 (Low: $157500000, High: $262500000)
Year 3: $220500000 (Low: $165375000, High: $275625000)
Year 5: $242550000 (Low: $181912500, High: $303187500)
Year 10: $267442500 (Low: $200581875, High: $334302375)
Year 100: $707305750 (Low: $530479312, High: $884132187)
Key Considerations
- Domestic material sourcing could increase costs but simultaneously enhance domestic job creation in manufacturing.
- Sustainable aviation projects could lead to significant environmental benefits, directly aligning with national climate goals.
- Initial high investment costs are mitigated by potential long-term savings and efficiency improvements.
- Administrative efficiency in the grant application and awarding process could affect the overall success of the program's implementation.