Airports generating profits through environmental methods
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded $10.2 million in grants to six airports under the Voluntary Airport Low Emission (VALE) program. This initiative, originally created in 2005, aims to reduce all sources of airport ground emissions in areas of marginal air quality.
The city of Atlanta and Charleston, West Virginia's Yeager Airport are among the recipients. Atlanta will use its $3.6 million grant to improve air quality and install electrical connections at seven passenger gates. Meanwhile, Yeager Airport will use its grant to pay for gate power units and pre-conditioned air units at seven gates, allowing parked aircraft to connect to terminal power while passengers load and unload.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport received a grant of $2 million to install 43 charging units in Terminals A and B to support electric ground support equipment, reducing the use of conventional fuels and emissions. The Albuquerque International Sunport in New Mexico received a grant of $431,479 to replace four boilers in the airport's central utility plant with low-emission technology.
Chicago O'Hare International Airport will install an underground fuel-hydrant system, eliminating the need for diesel-powered fuel trucks and providing fuel for 20 gates in Concourse F, thanks to a $2 million grant. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport will use its $2 million grant to install 12 electric gates at Terminal B and connect seven pre-conditioned air units for parked aircraft, eliminating the need for diesel or jet-fuel powered auxiliary power.
Since the beginning of the VALE program, airports have reduced ozone emissions by approximately 563 tons per year, equivalent to removing more than 31,000 cars and trucks off the road annually. The grants awarded are intended for airport-related air quality improvements, with the focus on using funds for low-emission vehicles, refueling and recharging stations, gate electrification, and other related improvements.
Airports can use Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funds and Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs) to help pay for these improvements through the VALE program. This partnership between the FAA and airports helps airport sponsors meet their air quality responsibilities under the Clean Air Act.
Since 2005, the FAA has funded 69 VALE projects at 38 airports, representing a total investment of $184 million in clean airport technology, including $146 million in federal grants and $38 million in local airport matching funds. The VALE program continues to make strides in improving air quality at airports across the nation.
Read also:
- Understanding Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis: Key Facts
- Stopping Osteoporosis Treatment: Timeline Considerations
- Tobacco industry's suggested changes on a legislative modification are disregarded by health journalists
- Expanded Community Health Involvement by CK Birla Hospitals, Jaipur, Maintained Through Consistent Outreach Programs Across Rajasthan
