Seattle's Reis Testifies on Airport Environmental Issues
Eileen Denne, edenne@aci-na.org, (202) 293-4537
Megan Miller, mmiller@aci-na.org, (202) 861-8080
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, D.C. (May 6, 2008)— Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Managing Director Mark Reis testified today on behalf of Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) before the Aviation Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Reis, who serves on the ACI-NA Board of Directors, talked about the airport industry’s efforts and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“Environmental protection has for decades been an integral part of airports’ responsibilities,” Reis told members of the Subcommittee. “Airports must continue to play a leadership role in demonstrating environmental stewardship to the local and global communities we serve.
“Airports have and continue to implement proactive measures to reduce their environmental impacts, addressing such areas as noise, local air quality, water quality, wildlife management, waste minimization, and greenhouse gas emissions.”
Reis’ testimony described a recent ACI-NA survey of its member airports to benchmark initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Based on responses from 73 airports representing almost 60 percent of traffic in both the United States and Canada, the survey found:
- 32 airports have conducted an air emissions inventory.
- 15 airports have conducted a greenhouse gas emissions inventory.
- 24 airports have an Environmental Management System.
- 17 airports have established GHG/climate goals.
- 9 airports are generating renewable energy.
- 19 airports purchase renewable energy.
- 48 airports have installed or upgraded improved HVAC systems.
- 59 airports are utilizing more efficient lighting.
- 34 airports have infrastructure to support clean vehicles.
- 48 airports have at least one loading bridge with 400 HZ power.
- 2,187 out of 2,653 loading bridges at responding airports
- 38 airports have at least one loading bridge with pre-conditioned air.
- 1,639 out of 2,653 loading bridges at responding airports
- 21 airports have employee trip reduction programs.
- 52 airports have public transit access.
- 26 airports have consolidated rental car facilities.
- 53 airports have a waste management program (recycling/reuse/composting).
- 33 airports have green purchasing programs.
- 5 airports have a LEED-certified building.
- 8 airports have a building for which they are seeking LEED certification.
“Airports’ contribution to aviation’s global greenhouse gas emissions is small, and airports have little or no control over some of the larger contributors such as aircraft and off-airport vehicles,” Reis said. “In spite of our small role, however, we recognize that every industry and every institution has a responsibility to reduce its contributions to climate change and that airports must plan how to modify the nation’s airport infrastructure to withstand the climatic changes that will occur.
“Airports also play a critical role in facilitating greenhouse gas emission reductions across the entire aviation industry. By working with our airline partners, tenants, FAA, ground service providers and local communities, airports can help effectuate further reductions in those areas not directly within our control.”
Reis also commended the Subcommittee leadership for the environmental provisions in H.R. 2881, the House Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization legislation, and for extending authorization for the Airport Cooperative Research (ACRP) program and authorizing $15 million in funding for FY 2009 through FY 2011. ACRP is working on a number of airport environmental projects, including development of a guidebook for airports to use in inventorying their greenhouse gas emissions.
View Reis’ testimony here.
Airports Council International - North America represents local, regional and state governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the United States and Canada. ACI-NA member airports enplane more than 95 percent of the domestic and virtually all the international airline passenger and cargo traffic in North America. Over 300 aviation-related businesses are also members of the association, which is the largest of the six worldwide regions of Airports Council International.
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