REPORT ON LONG-TERM ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS.

SEC. 321. REPORT ON LONG-TERM ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS.(a) In General.—The Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, shall conduct a study of ways to reduce aircraft noise and emissions and to increase aircraft fuel efficiency. The study shall—(1) explore new operational procedures for aircraft to achieve those goals;(2) identify both near-term and long-term options to achieve those goals;(3) identify infrastructure changes that would contribute to attainment of those goals;(4) identify emerging technologies that might contribute to attainment of those goals;(5) develop a research plan for application of such emerging technologies, including new combustor and engine design concepts and methodologies for designing high bypass ratio turbofan engines so as to minimize the effects on climate change per unit of production of thrust and flight speed; and(6) develop an implementation plan for exploiting such emerging technologies to attain those goals.(b) Report.—The Secretary shall transmit a report on the study to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure within 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.(c) Authorization of Appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $500,000 for fiscal year 2004 to carry out this section.