A new rule proposed by the Federal Aviation Administration would require most large aircraft flying in U.S. airspace to reduce their greenhouse gasses emissions.
The proposed rule would require greater fuel efficiency in new subsonic jet aircraft, as well as large turboprop and propeller aircraft not yet certified, and for planes manufactured after Jan. 1, 2028, according to a June 15 U.S. Department of Transportation news release.
"Today is an important step forward in reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions released by our nation’s airplanes and ultimately reaching President Biden’s ambitious goal of net-zero emissions by 2050," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in the release.
Commercial aircraft that would be required to meet the proposed standards include civil turboprop airplanes, business jets and the anticipated Boeing 777-X, as well as upcoming versions of the Airbus A330-neo and 787 Dreamliner, according to the release. The proposed rule would not apply to aircraft already in service.
"Civil aircraft such as these were responsible for 10% of domestic transportation emissions and 3% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions prior to the pandemic," the news release said.
The proposed rule would bring the U.S. in line with United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization aircraft CO2 emission standards and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's regulations implementing the UN standards, the release reported.
The proposed new rule follows FAA announcement of more than $100 million in matching research contracts aimed at increasing aircraft efficiency, aircraft noise and emissions reduction and development and implementation of new software developed to reduce taxi delays, according to the release.
More information can be found on the Federal Register and the FAA website.
