News release
Rep. George Whitesides’ bill to use advanced technology in wildfire-prone areas has unanimously passed the U.S. House, the congressman’s office announced in a news release.
The Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations Act will allow NASA to deploy aircraft and aviation technology to research and monitor at-risk regions across the country and make sure that manned and unmanned aerial assets are coordinating safely during wildfires, the release said.
“I came to Congress to address the wildfire crisis, and I’m proud that the ACERO Act – which I helped introduce in the Science Committee – will draw on the incredible potential that NASA technology has to make us safer and more informed,” Whitesides, D-Agua Dulce, said in the release. “The ACERO Act will strengthen our first responders’ ability to combat wildfires while providing real-time information to emergency response teams on the ground. This legislation uses the best technology the federal government has to offer to protect our families and homes, and I’ll keep advocating for its quick passage in the Senate.”
The release provided the following summary of the ACERO Act’s provisions:
• Modernize wildfire response capabilities by directing NASA to enhance airspace management and integrate advanced technologies.
• Foster collaboration by promoting partnerships with other agencies, research institutions and private industry.
• Ensure accountability by requiring annual progress reports to Congress through 2030.
• Protect national security by prohibiting NASA from procuring drones for this program from foreign adversaries like China.
