Chapel Hill: Noise Free America: A Coalition to Promote Quiet is calling on Congress, the White House, and the EPA to reauthorize the Noise Control Act, which created the Office of Noise Abatement the office of Noise Enforcement within the EPA. Reinstatement of these two federal noise pollution control offices is necessary to combat the scourge of noise pollution and improve America’s public health and quality of life.

Excessive noise is very damaging. In 2014. University of Michigan researchers estimated that 104 million Americans had annual average noise exposure of 70 or more decibels and were thus “at risk of noise-related health effects. Tens of millions more may be at risk of heart disease and other noise-related health effects.”

ONAC was established by the Noise Control Act of 1972, which established “a national policy to promote an environment for all Americans free from noise that jeopardizes their health and welfare.” The Act requires the coordination of federal research and activities in noise control, authorizes the establishment of federal noise emission standards for commercial products, and enables the dissemination of information to the public regarding the noise characteristics of commercial products.

In 1981, the Reagan administration defunded ONAC, arguing that administrative regulations were “burdensome” to industries and that noise pollution could be handled adequately at the state and local level. Congress has never refunded the agency, even though the Noise Control Act of 1972 remains in effect.

Representative Grace Meng (D., New York) has introduced the “Quiet Communities Act of 2021,” which would reestablish funding for the federal noise pollution control office. H.R. 4892 has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, chaired by Representative Frank Pallone (D., New Jersey).

Noise Free America: A Coalition to Promote Quiet encourages all of its supporters to write to members of Congress, the White House, and the EPA, asking them to support renewed funding for the Office of Noise Abatement and Control.

Here is a sample letter to Congress:

Dear ____,

I am writing to ask that you support H.R. 4892, the Quiet Communities Act of 2021 (which has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee).  This legislation would reestablish the Office of Noise Abatement and Control with the EPA. Created in 1972, the agency was de-funded by the Reagan administration in 1981. Congress has never reestablished ONAC’s funding.

Renewed funding for the federal noise pollution control office is urgently needed. Noise pollution is linked to hearing loss, sleep deprivation, chronic fatigue, aggressive behavior, and heart disease. Also, noise is a major quality of life issue.  Eighty-five percent of calls to New York City’s quality of life hotline concern noise. A Census Bureau report indicates that noise is Americans’ number one complaint about their neighborhoods and the top reason they wish to move.

Restoring $20 million of annual funding would allow the EPA to promote the development of effective state and local noise control programs, carry out a national noise control research program, hire regional enforcement officials, and develop educational and training materials.

Thank you for your support of a quieter America.

Sincerely yours,

Your Name

With your message, supporters of Noise Free America: A Coalition to Promote Quiet should also include a link to our position paper on restoring ONAC.

Here is contact information for messages to Congress:
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Contact | Speaker Nancy Pelosi

Representative Frank Pallone
202-225-4671 (phone)
202-225-9665 (fax)
2107 Rayburn House Office Building

To find your member of the US House of Representatives, click here:

A second letter, with a slightly different emphasis, should be sent to the White House and the EPA. The reason? The authorization under the original Noise Control Act is still on the books; the EPA simply has to ask the President to include funding in his proposed budget for the EPA.

Here is a sample letter to the White House and the EPA:

Dear ____,

I am writing to ask that President Biden include funding to reauthorize the Noise Control Act, which was passed in 1972 and remains on the books.  This legislation would reestablish the Office of Noise Abatement and Control with the EPA. Created in 1972, the agency was de-funded by the Reagan administration in 1981. Congress has never reestablished ONAC’s funding.

Renewed authorization for the Noise Control Act is urgently needed. Noise pollution is linked to hearing loss, sleep deprivation, chronic fatigue, aggressive behavior, and heart disease. Also, noise is a major quality of life issue.  Eighty-five percent of calls to New York City’s quality of life hotline concern noise. A Census Bureau report indicates that noise is Americans’ number one complaint about their neighborhoods and the top reason they wish to move.

Restoring $20 million of annual funding would allow the EPA to promote the development of effective state and local noise control programs, carry out a national noise control research program, hire regional enforcement officials, and develop educational and training materials.

Thank you for your support of a quieter America.

Sincerely yours,

Your Name

Here is contact information for the White House:
Contact Us | The White House

Here is contact information for the EPA:
Joseph Goffman
Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator
Office of Air and Radiation
Environmental Protection Agency
[email protected]
202-564-7400

Ted Rueter, director of Noise Free America: A Coalition to Promote Quiet, stated that “restoring funding for the federal noise pollution control office is a top priority. Excessive noise is a national problem which requires national action.  Congress needs to protect the American public by reestablishing the Office of Noise Abatement and Control within the EPA.”