Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) celebrated House passage of bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that includes provisions she championed to decarbonize the aviation industry through greater adoption of hydrogen-powered aircraft.

“Transportation is responsible for one-third of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, making transitioning to greener aviation critical to meeting our climate goals,” said DelBene. “Washington has long been a leader in clean energy and a hydrogen technology trailblazer. These provisions that I secured in the House FAA bill will help further cement the Evergreen State as a hydrogen powerhouse and help the U.S. reach our emissions reduction goals faster.”

DelBene secured the following provisions in the bill:

• Requires the FAA to develop an R&D strategy for hydrogen aviation fuel.
• Expands an FAA public-private partnership that develops new aviation innovations to include hydrogen and battery technologies.
• Allows a federal airport construction program to fund hydrogen fueling systems.
• Broadens a Washington State University co-led FAA center of excellence to conduct hydrogen research.

The FAA legislation is a must-pass bill this year. Differences must be worked out with the Senate before it can be signed by President Biden.

A summary of the FAA legislation can be found here.