NOISE BILL PASSES, GIVING EPA LOUDER VOICE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP86-00244R000100200012-1
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 18, 1999
• Sequence Number: 12
• Content Type: NSPR

Approved For Release 2000/09/14: CIA-RDP86-00244R000100200012-1
Noise bill passes, giving EPA louder voice
A comprehensive bill setting maximum
noise levels for machinery, including
every type of construction equipment,
is under scrutiny in the Senate after
House passage. The measure, author-
izing fines up to $25,000 for noncom-
pliance, applies only to new machinery.
The proposal gives the federal Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency (EPA)
broad new powers to control noise pol-
lution. According to the bill's chief
sponsor, Rep. Paul Rogers (D-Fla.), it
would give the government the tools it
needs "to realize a significant reduction
in the levels of noise around us within
three or four years."
The bill directs the EPA to promul-
gate noise emission standards for new
construction and transportation equip-
ment, and electrical and electronic
ma-
chinery. In setting the standards, EPA'is
required to give appropriate considera-
tion to technological feasibility and
cost. The agency must establish the cri-
teria within 18 months should the bill
become law.
In other provisions:
? Courts could direct local agencies
to enforce the law.
? Citizens could sue suspected viola-
tors and also federal agencies that are
suspected of failing to enforce the pro-
visions.
? EPA would have the power to re-
quire labels on equipment that it be-
lieves might generate noise adversely
affecting public health or welfare. And
it could require informative label-
ing on products claiming to be noise re-
ducing.
Approved For Release 2000/09/14: CIA-RDP86-00244R000100200012-1
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