Antelope Valley Today

Rep. Mike Garcia’s bipartisan ACERO Act has successfully passed the House, included in H.R. 8958, the NASA Reauthorization Act of 2024. This act aims to strengthen wildfire response capabilities and support the aerospace economy of Antelope Valley, a significant sector for national security and American space leadership.

“You can’t tell the story of the Antelope Valley without telling the story of NASA. The Aerospace Valley, as we call it, is home to some of the most important advancements in aerospace history—from Chuck Yeager breaking the sound barrier to the first flights of the Space Shuttle," said Rep. Garcia. "With the ACERO Act, we’re pushing the boundaries of technology-assisted disaster response by equipping our firefighters with the tools they need to stop fires before they spread—much like how we equip our warfighters with cutting-edge technology to protect our nation."

The ACERO Act will expand NASA’s Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations (ACERO) project. This project focuses on integrating unmanned aerial systems (UAS) into wildfire response efforts. These UAVs will serve as a force multiplier for firefighters, enhancing their ability to respond swiftly and effectively to wildfires, particularly in remote areas.

“I’m proud that this bill not only supports our firefighters but continues to fuel the next generation of aerospace innovation that starts right here in the Aerospace Valley,” said Rep. Garcia.