The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is funding airports nationwide to assist in the country’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. Over $90 million will be invested into more than 20 airports thanks to grants totaling nearly $268 million.
The funding is part of the 2022-2024 Airport Improvement Program, a supplemental grant initiative that provides more than $3.18 billion annually in grants for a network of nearly 3,500 eligible airports. The FAA announced earlier this week that its funding will support utilizing solar power, the electrification of vehicles, and helping general aviation airports transition to unleaded fuel for piston-engine aircraft.
Utilizing solar power to stay on track
To improve infrastructure and transportation, $92 million will go to 21 airports. The FAA said the investment will additionally support good-paying jobs. Overall, the funding will help airports reach the President’s net-zero emissions goal in the next 27 years. Shannetta R. Griffin, P.E., Associate Administrator for Airports, spoke about the agency’s announcement on Tuesday.
“We need to help airports transition their operations as quickly as possible to renewable power. Our investments keeps us on track for the net-zero goal.”
According to the FAA, $46.8 million will be devoted to crucial sustainability projects such as solar power equipment to save energy. At Indianapolis International Airport, $22.58 million will go to construct energy-efficient infrastructure and the installation of solar panels. Also, in Indiana, La Porte Municipal Airport will receive $333,450 to install solar panels. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in sunny Phoenix, Arizona, will get $20 million to design solar parking structures, while Texas’ El Paso International Airport will have $3 million to install solar panels.
Three airports in the state of Iowa will receive funding for solar panels to be installed:
Southeast Iowa Regional Airport in Burlington – $600,000
Centerville Municipal Airport – $150,000
Decorah Municipal Airport – $150,000
Zero-emission transportation within the airport
13 airports will share $44.5 million to plan and purchase electric vehicles and electric transportation infrastructure, according to the FAA. Oregon’s Portland International Airport will receive the most funding, $16 million, to construct roads and buildings for zero-emissions vehicles. About $5 million will go to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas to purchase electric buses and charging stations.
$3.4 million will be used to purchase zero-emissions vehicles and charging stations at North Carolina’s Raleigh-Durham International Airport, and $3.2 will be used by California’s Sacramento International Airport to buy electric buses. At Salt Lake City International Airport, $3.1 million will go toward purchasing electric buses and charging stations. Pittsburgh International Airport will utilize $3 million to buy zero-emissions vehicles and charging stations.
Other initiatives
Other airports, including Tennessee’s McGhee Tyson Airport, Kansas City International Airport, and San Diego International Airport, will receive between $1 million and $2 million. Airports in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Little Rock, Arkansas, and Butte, Montana, are expected to get under $1 million to update their infrastructure to support zero-emissions vehicles.
Additionally, Prescott Regional Airport in Arizona will get $243,000 to transition its operation to unleaded fuel. The plan is part of a broader initiative to eliminate leaded aviation fuels in piston-engine aircraft by the end of 2030.
https://simpleflying.com/faa-invests-90-million-net-zero-goals/