Quiet Communities Act

Summary

Quiet Communities Act - Amends the Noise Control Act of 1972 to repeal the authority of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish noise emission standards for products distributed in interstate commerce. Repeals provisions for EPA noise control regulations pertaining to product labeling. Retitles such Act the "Quiet Communities Act." Replaces a finding that Federal action is necessary to control major noise sources with a finding that Federal action must promote and assist effective State and local programs. Replaces a purpose of such Act "to authorize the establishment of Federal noise emission standards for products distributed in commerce" with a purpose "to assure that railroad and motor carrier equipment and operational noise emissions are controlled adequately by either State or Federal regulation." Revises provisions relating to railroad noise and motor carrier noise. Provides that existing regulation of interstate railroads and equipment and of interstate motor carriers and equipment shall continue until specifically repealed or amended. Authorizes the Administrator to promulgate: (1) additional noise control regulations establishing standards and requirements for the design, construction, and maintenance of rail or motor carrier equipment or devices, or controls; and (2) noise control regulations establishing restrictions on interstate railroad operations and activities, along specific rail lines or specific centers of activity, and on motor carrier operations and activities. Revises provisions relating to the right of a State or local government to establish and enforce environmental noise restrictions in the absence of a Federal requirement relating to railroad or motor carrier noise or a Federal decision that no Federal, State, or local requirement is appropriate, on a specific class of equipment or operations. Permits any person adversely affected by a State or local requirement, or the Administrator, to demonstrate by a preponderance of the evidence the existence of an inconsistency between a State or local requirement and a Federal requirement. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1982 to carry out such Act.

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Documents

2 official files

• Passed House amended

  summary · EN · 16 December 1981

  Open at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 15 May 1981

  Open at official source

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