Want meds dropped from the sky when you’re sick? Congress must act on drone delivery | Opinion

Have you ever experienced the frustration of preparing a meal, only to discover you’re missing a crucial ingredient? Or woken up with a runny nose, regretting not having bought cold medicine on your last shopping trip? Rather than having to pack the family into the car and head out on the roads, imagine resolving these annoyances almost instantly thanks to a package safely delivered to your backyard from the sky.

This once-futuristic vision edged closer to reality earlier this year, with Walmart’s announcement of a partnership with drone companies Wing and Zipline to expand delivery from numerous stores serving 1.8 million households in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The massive retailer has been pioneering this service, and it’s increasingly difficult to overlook the advantages. The benefits, particularly for seniors who can’t easily leave their homes or for busy parents, showcase how drone technology can meaningfully benefit communities and alleviate daily stresses.

The growth of this service in North Texas and its potential for nationwide adoption is heavily influenced by the decisions made in Congress, particularly through the FAA Reauthorization Act. This legislation plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of aviation by providing an opportunity for Congress, and through it the public, to influence priorities and how our shared airspace is regulated in the 21st century.

This year, Congress has a golden opportunity to establish the U.S. as a global leader in the drone industry, thanks to bipartisan legislation in Congress put forward by the unlikely pair of Sens. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, and Ted Cruz, R-Texas. The Senate’s FAA bill unlocks the benefit of this promising technology by directing the FAA to safely integrate advanced drone operations into our communities in a rational and common-sense manner. To boost the global competitiveness of America’s commercial drone market, it’s crucial that Congress send this bill to the president.

With the approach the Senate has taken, drones can be more than just a convenience; they could become a safe and reliable service for essential deliveries such as medicine, emergency supplies, and more. This can open new avenues for drone usage in remote, underserved or high-traffic congestion areas, where traditional delivery methods are either too slow or impractical.

In addition, with energy grids front of mind, drone delivery can use as much as 94% less energy than other last-mile delivery options. As we strive for more sustainable solutions in all sectors, including retail and healthcare, the energy savings benefits of drone delivery become impossible to ignore. As a former mayor of a rapidly growing area, I understand the importance of making sure we use new technologies to protect our air quality while also making commerce convenient.

Apart from delivery, advanced drone operations (meaning flying beyond the visual line of sight of the operator) have several other beneficial uses across Texas. Consider the effectiveness and safety improvements for long-linear pipeline or power-line inspections when a drone can carry out the job instead of traditional aircraft or visual inspection. Road builders can also use drones to inspect infrastructure at a fraction of a cost and help keep up with growth needs in the region while saving taxpayers’ hard-earned money.

The Senate’s FAA bill is a step towards harnessing the full potential of drone technology, and I hope that our own congressional delegation — including Cruz and Sen. John Cornyn — can help push this effort over the finish line. Congressional districts in DFW will be at the forefront of this innovation, and their lawmakers should be calling for inclusion of the key provisions from the Senate FAA bill in a final measure that can pass both chambers and be signed into law.

By ensuring safe and efficient integration of drones into our airspace, Congress can help unlock a future in which drones can serve our communities by increasing economic growth, sustainability and safety while also keeping America at the forefront of aviation and technological advancements.

Betsy Price was mayor of Fort Worth from 2011 to 2021.

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