Bill > A07946

This bill establishes a uniform metric for measuring airport noise impacts in New York state, focusing on the Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL), a comprehensive noise measurement that accounts for noise sensitivity at different times of day. The legislation recognizes that noise pollution can cause significant health issues like hearing loss, hypertension, stress, sleep disruption, and cognitive impairment, and adopts the CNEL as a standard for noise exposure maps and compatibility programs. The bill defines CNEL as an average noise level over 24 hours that adds penalties for noise during evening (7 PM to 10 PM) and nighttime (10 PM to 7 AM) hours, which are considered more sensitive periods. It requires all airport noise studies, including federal aviation regulation studies and airport noise exposure maps, to use the CNEL metric, with a specific mathematical formula provided for calculating the noise level. The bill aims to provide a more nuanced and health-conscious approach to measuring airport noise, taking into account the World Health Organization and Environmental Protection Agency recommendations for noise exposure levels.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A7946