Kilmer Legislation to Improve Rural Airport Resiliency Passes House, Now Heads to President Biden’s Desk
FAA Reauthorization Legislation Includes Rep. Kilmer’s Resilient Airports Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Derer Kilmer (WA-06) applauded the passage of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2024 to reauthorize the FAA for five years. The FAA Reauthorization Act includes Rep. Kilmer’s Resilient Airports Act, bipartisan legislation to improve emergency and disaster response capabilities at airports nationwide, including those located in rural communities.
“I can’t emphasize enough the importance of our airports in times of crisis, particularly for the folks in Washington’s rural communities,” said Rep. Kilmer. “Out on the Olympic Peninsula, airports are the backbone of our emergency response systems – yet they’re not invulnerable to natural disasters or the impacts of climate change. Today, the House took a major step toward ensuring airports like Fairchild Airport in Port Angeles have the resources they need to stay strong and reliable. Because when our airports are resilient, our communities are too.”
“The Pacific Northwest is overdue for a major earthquake,” said Rep. Earl Blumenauer (OR-03). “When it comes, disaster-resilient airports will be a matter of life or death. Today’s proactive investment ensures our region can rebuild, without delay, in the aftermath of an earthquake or other disaster.”
“During crises, rural airports become crucial for firefighting and disaster relief. Take California and the West, where these hubs help firefighters and first responders save lives and defend homes,” said Rep. Doug LaMalfa (CA-01). “The Resilient Airports Act will help our airports improve their aging infrastructure so they can be ready to respond to future disasters. We want to ensure that there is no delay to aerial firefighting or rescue missions because our airports cannot handle the missions.”
The Resilient Airports Act would expand the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) eligibility criteria, enabling more airports to receive funding for crucial infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing resilience against earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, wildfires, and other natural disasters. Also, the bill would help to ensure that general aviation airports designated as federal staging areas by the Federal Emergency Management Agency are eligible for AIP funds.
Currently, the FAA provides AIP grants to public agencies – and, in some cases, to private owners and entities – for the planning and development of public-use airports that are included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems.
The Resilient Airports Act is endorsed by the Port of Port Angeles and Port of Portland.
“The Port of Port Angeles is grateful to Congressman Kilmer for his dedicated efforts to improve the resiliency of the William R. Fairchild airport on the North Olympic Peninsula,” said Port of Port Angeles Commission President Connie Beauvais. “As a FEMA-designated tier 1 Incident Support Base and Federal Staging Area, the William R. Fairchild airport is a critical asset for all of Western Washington. In the event of a major natural disaster, the airport is one of 4 in western Washington that will provide support to millions of residents of our state. Congressman Kilmer’s support and leadership in this area is deeply appreciated.”
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