Houston’s Airports Hope To Get a Bit Greener With Help of Millions in FAA Grants

Aug. 25—Houston's airports are expected to get a bit greener, with the support of roughly $12.5 million in federal money.

The Federal Aviation Administration, looking to invest in energy and environmental sustainability projects, awarded about $10.4 million to George Bush Intercontinental Airport for two projects, according to the Houston Airport System, which manages Bush, Hobby and Ellington airports.

With its share, IAH will replace generators and conduct an audit that will look for ways to save energy and water and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Hobby Airport will receive $2.1 million to pursue an energy audit and to develop a plan to assess how the airport can incorporate the FAA's climate challenge guidance. The grants were earlier reported by Energy Capital HTX and emerged from the Airport Improvement Program Supplemental Discretionary Grant Competition.

"Houston Airports is committed to reducing our environmental impact while also protecting the planet as we expand our global reach," said Jim Szczesniak, chief operating officer for Houston Airports, in a statement. "These FAA grants fund our ability to invest in smart and sustainable solutions."

The projects aren't expected to cause any disruptions to travelers, said Augusto Bernal, director of communications for Houston Airports.

"The generator replacement won't affect the travelers' airport journey," he explained. "These are located away from the terminals and immediate roadways."

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Globally, according to the International Energy Agency, aviation accounted for 2 percent of energy-related CO2 emissions in 2022. However, the sector is one of the most challenging to "decarbonize," IEA notes, with growth in air travel historically outpacing efficiency gains from newer aircraft.

Airports themselves make up a small slice of aviation's emissions. According to the Airports Council International, a global association of airport authorities, they account for roughly 5 percent of the industry's carbon footprint, with a majority of that coming from ground operations, including airport vehicles.

The Houston Airport System, which aims to become carbon-neutral by 2030, is this year rolling out a fleet of all-electric vehicles, including 25 Ford F-150 Lightning pickups, which will be supported by 11 charging stations. The system also has added a solar array at Hobby and is installing LED runway lights at that airport and IAH, among other projects.

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