Providence Noise Project

“Noise is the new Smoking”

Federal Judge: EPA Can't Ignore Noise Under 1972 Noise Control Act

We're thrilled to report that a federal district court judge in Washington has ruled in favor of the plaintiffs — lead by Noise Project ally Quiet Communities in Lincoln, MA — in a lawsuit demanding that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency enforce the 1972 Noise Control Act, which was passed in response to growing concerns about the health effects of noise as a form of air pollution.

We have written a Soundscape blog post summarizing the decision and background of the suit, the law, and the legislative history. If you’re even vaguely aware of the history of federal action on regulation of excessive sound levels dating back over 50 years, you know that the EPA has clearly abdicated its responsibility to reduce noise — and assist U.S. states and municipalities in doing so — under the Clean Air / Noise Control / Quiet Communities Acts that were passed in the 1970s.

While we await the court’s forthcoming ruling on how the agency must remediate its half century(!) of inaction on noise, we can briefly revel in a rare “victory” over bureaucratic intransigence and the absence of simple reason that has resulted in far too many Providence residents being unwillingly and illegally afflicted by excessive, unhealthy, and mostly unnecessary noise on a daily basis.

We can only imagine how things might be different — and quieter — now if the Reagan hadn’t de-funded the EPA’s legally mandated noise-regulation activities 45 years ago. Lost decades of federal research, evolving noise policy, and material assistance to state and local governments to regulate and reduce noise would likely have made Providence a much healthier and more enjoyable place to live. In the unfortunate absence of that, it’s up to residents like us to make it happen for everyone.

Program note: The Noise Project is looking for someone in the southern part of Providence to host a noise monitor at their home. If you are interested, please use our contact form to tell us where you live (address / neighborhood / ward) and the type of building, and include the subject line “Noise monitor.” If you’d like to help the Project in a different way, please fill out our volunteer intake form.

Thank you for your interest in the Providence Noise Project, and for supporting a
quieter, healthier, and more enjoyable Providence for all of its residents and visitors

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