Grants Made To 20 Airports For Environmental Initiatives

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced Thursday that the he would release $6.4 million in FAA AIP grants for 20 airports nationwide that are taking innovative steps to become more sustainable.

“We want the U.S. aviation system to be the safest in the world, and also the most sustainable and environmentally conscious,” said Secretary Foxx. “These grants will help airports operate more efficiently, providing savings for the airports and their travelers alike, while protecting the health of the local communities they serve.”

Airports can use the grants to reduce their environmental impacts by reducing noise and water usage, improving air quality, and minimizing impacts to surrounding communities through actions such as reducing ground-based vehicle emissions.  Funding from the FAA’s AIP enables airports to study, plan and develop sustainability initiatives to be incorporated into existing and future airport projects.

Some of the sustainability initiatives include reducing energy consumption through the use of alternative fuels for buildings and vehicles; enabling aircraft to use electricity and pre-conditioned air provided at airport gates instead of running aircraft engines during wait times; installing light sensors to automatically turn off lights and reduce energy use; using “green” products at airport facilities; and promoting land uses that attract businesses and industries that can benefit from being near an airport, thereby minimizing travel to and from the airport and reducing exhaust emissions.  

“I applaud airport sponsors for taking the initiative to make their airports more economically and environmentally sound while continuing to maintain the highest levels of safety and security,” said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. “These grants will provide the selected airports with a blueprint for achieving all of these objectives.”

FMI: www.dot.gov, www.faa.gov