Denver International Airport (DIA) has been awarded $442,500 in funding from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to reduce emissions and improve air quality at the airport.
The funding is part of the FAA’s Voluntary Airport Low Emission (VALE) programme, which is designed to reduce all sources of airport ground emissions in areas of marginal air quality.
VALE allows airport sponsors to use airport improvement programme (AIP) funds and passenger facility charges to acquire low-emission vehicles, refuelling and recharging stations, gate electrification and other airport-related air quality improvements.
US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said: "This programme supports President Obama’s efforts to combat carbon pollution and reduce aviation’s emissions footprint.
"These funds will help airports around the country make the necessary investments to reduce fuel costs and help protect our health and the environment."
DIA will use the funds to purchase pre-conditioned air handlers that will allow aircraft to shut off their auxiliary power units while parked at the gate and connect to the airport’s central heating and cooling system, in order to save airline fuel and improve air quality.
The new equipment would help DIA to prevent over 92t of carbon monoxide emissions from entering the air, along with over 134t of other pollutants that cause ozone pollution.
DIA CEO Kim Day said: "DIA continues to be a leader in environmental sustainability and this grant will help acquire equipment that will reduce power consumption, as well as the airport’s carbon footprint."
