San Diego to Undergo Green Expansion

San Diego Airport says it will incorporate measures to reduce greenhouse emissions from its expanding facility.

The airport is the busiest single-runway airport in the US, with passenger travel expected to grow approximately 2.8 percent per year for the next 25 years.

The airport is planning to construct ten additional gates, new overnight jet parking, expanded taxiways, and a proposed 5,000-space parking structure.

The airport says it will incorporate measures such as green building certification and alternative energy airport shuttles into its 30-year masterplan.

Groundside power will be installed at new and refurbished gates, hangars, and cargo facilities to allow airplanes to use electricity without having to run on-board engines which emit diesel particulate and greenhouse gases, while aircraft pushback tractors will be replaced by electric or alternative-fuel vehicles.

The airport design will include the use of cool roofs, solar panels, and cool pavement for new buildings and paved areas.

By Elizabeth Clifford-Marsh