Relief could be near for SeaTac residents living along the Sea-Tac International Airport (SEA) flight path thanks to the City’s support of SB 5955 which was signed into law this week. Mayor Mohamed Egal, City Councilmember Senayet Negusse and Government Relations and Communications Manager Kyle Moore were on hand for the Governor’s signing of this historic bill.
On Tuesday at the state capitol, Governor Inslee signed bill SB 5955, Mitigating harm and improving equity in large port districts. The bill was sponsored by 33rd District Senator Karen Keiser and Representative Tina Orwall. The bill makes it possible for SeaTac residents to receive assistance to repair failing soundproofing for their houses. This bill will help hundreds of homeowners in communities around SEA who face disproportionate health risks due to aircraft noise and pollution.
The City Council made Aviation Impacts the top priority of the City’s 2024 State Legislative Agenda. Mayor Mohamed Egal and Councilmember Senayet Negusse traveled to Olympia and testified multiple times to ensure passage of this bill which would, for the first time in 40 years, allow SeaTac homeowners the ability to have the Port repair failed sound insulation packages in their homes.
“SeaTac homeowners will finally receive the relief they deserve after decades of exposure to the noise and pollution from constant aircraft operations,” said SeaTac Mayor Mohamed Egal. “I want to thank Senator Karen Keiser and Representative Tina Orwall for taking up this cause and finding a solution for the homeowners who have no other options.”
“While the convenience of SeaTac Airport benefits all residents of the state, the adverse effects of noise and air pollution are disproportionately experienced by those in SeaTac and neighboring cities,” said Councilmember Senayet Negusse. “SB 5955 stands as a vital response to longstanding issues, a testament to the tireless advocacy of our community members. Heartfelt gratitude goes to Representative Orwell and Senator Keiser for their unwavering support of this bill. It marks the essential groundwork upon which we can strive for a healthier, more equitable future for our communities.”
SB 5955, sponsored by Sen. Keiser, establishes a grant program managed by the Washington State Department of Commerce, which would assist the Port of Seattle in undertaking a program to repair home noise mitigation equipment that is not working properly. Over the past three decades, more than 9500 homeowners received soundproofing “port packages” from the FAA and the Port of Seattle — including double-pane and triple-pane windows, solid core doors and sound-dampening insulation — but some of those installations have failed. In some cases, windows have leaked and allowed mold to grow between the panes and even infest the houses. This bill establishes a landmark partnership between the Port of Seattle, the State of Washington, King County, cities in the area, and airport communities, in the form of a grant program to help affected homeowners.
The state has dedicated more than a $1 million to the Port Equity Fund from the 2024 state budget. Earlier this month, the Port of Seattle Commission authorized $5 million in Port levy dollars to pilot a program for eligible repair and replacements. The Port dollars will direct staff to conduct an assessment regarding the effectiveness of previously installed, federally funded noise insulation packages in communities around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). This month, U.S. Senator Patty Murray included $3 million in federal funding in the final fiscal year 2024 Transportation Appropriations bill. These funds could be used for the assessment of homes eligible to receive secondary noise insulation.
We cannot forget SeaTac resident Trung Lee, who was a major champion of the bill. He gave a tour of the failed port package in his home to Councilmember Negusse, Sen. Keiser and Rep. Orwall. Lee also testified in support of the bill and shared photos of his failed packages with state elected officials.
Lee had to retire early from his job as a Boeing engineer to take care of his ailing wife who suffered a stroke. Due to his wife’s medical condition, she is not able to leave the house. Water made its way into the port package windows causing mold to grow and fogging up the windows so he and his wife cannot see outside their home. The company that installed the port package went bankrupt invalidating his warranty.
For nearly a decade, Lee has tried in vain to have his port package repaired. After the passage of the bill and as a gesture of appreciation for his big role in the passage of this bill, Councilmember Negusse gave Lee one of the Governor’s pens used to sign the bill.
For those interested in more information on the program click here.
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