Lawmakers Seek Site-Specific Review of Amazon Drone Hub

On Oct. 14, 2026, Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey and Reps. Jim McGovern and Lori Trahan sent separate letters to FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford and Amazon CEO Andy Jassy seeking a site-specific environmental assessment, with public input, before Amazon starts Prime Air drone deliveries from its Westborough, Massachusetts, fulfillment center. They cited noise, privacy, safety, environmental effects, hazardous-materials risks, a 2025 Arizona drone collision involving lithium-ion battery fire risk, and a local survey in which 92% of more than 1,200 respondents opposed the facility. Replies were requested by Oct. 29. The FAA’s July 28, 2026 nationwide PEA and FONSI/ROD can authorize qualifying operators without separate site-specific assessments; 15 states and Harris County, Texas, sued over that review in the Second Circuit on Sept. 28. State legislators Michael Moore, Hannah Kane and Kate Donaghue had earlier asked Amazon to pause after an Amazon community meeting in Westborough. Amazon plans sub-5-pound deliveries within 7.5 miles of Otis Street and had hoped to begin before the end of 2026. Coverage differs on Amazon’s posture: one account says Amazon representatives said the FAA was reviewing a site-level filing; another said Amazon had not immediately commented. The PEA remains in effect while the suit proceeds; whether a dedicated Westborough assessment occurs before operations is unresolved.