2021 California Monument Fire - Engine crew battles flames
Credit: USDA

January 20, 2025 - The Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) reports on January 14, U.S. Representative Vince Fong (R-CA-20), along with Representative Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), introduced the bipartisan ACERO Act. This legislation authorizes NASA’s Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations (ACERO) project to develop technology for drones to improve wildfire response operations, including in low-visibility conditions where manned aircraft cannot be used. 

Specifically, the bill helps improve the management, deconfliction, and coordination of manned and unmanned aerial vehicles in emergency response activities, including by requiring NASA to create a unified concept of operations for the management of airspace during wildfires.

The ACERO Act was introduced in the 118th Congress by former Representative Mike Garcia (R-CA-27) and Representative Jennifer McClellan. It was included in the NASA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which passed the House on September 23, 2024, but did not advance in the Senate.

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ABOUT RURAL COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES OF CALIFORNIA (RCRC)
The Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) is a thirty-seven member county strong service organization that champions policies on behalf of California’s rural counties. RCRC is dedicated to representing the collective unique interests of its membership, providing legislative and regulatory representation at the State and Federal levels, and providing responsible services for its members to enhance and protect the quality of life in rural California counties. To learn more about RCRC, visit rcrcnet.org and follow @RuralCounties on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Source: RCRC