Cleaner air is expected outside John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) thanks to a program that eliminates the need for fuel-powered equipment at the airline gates.
Using a $2.7 million Voluntary Airport Low Emission (VALE) grant awarded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in September 2015, the Columbus Regional Airport Authority installed pre-conditioned air (PCA) units at 11 jet bridges and upgraded 13 existing ground power units (GPUs). Several gates already had emission-reduction technology prior to the VALE program and now, all gates at John Glenn International are equipped with these pollution-fighting units. An electrical substation was also installed near Concourse B gates as part of the project. The federal grant funded 75 percent of the project’s costs with the Columbus Regional Airport Authority funding the balance.
The VALE program, created to reduce sources of airport ground emissions, allowed for removal of heating and cooling generators on the ground that burned fuel to keep aircraft systems operational while the aircraft was parked. Work on the project commenced in November 2015 and was completed in August. The new units are projected to result in a total emission reduction of 207.1 tons of carbon monoxide over a span of 20 years.
“With the critical support of our federal delegation we’re committed to meeting and exceeding Clean Air Act guidelines,” said Elaine Roberts, President & CEO of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority. Ohio is served by U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Rob Portman (R-OH) and with Reps. Pat Tiberi (R-Galena), Steve Stivers (R-Columbus), Joyce Beatty (D-Columbus) Jim Jordan (R-Lima), and Bob Gibbs (R-Avon) representing the citizens of Central Ohio.
“On behalf of the Columbus Region I extend our community’s appreciation to our federal representatives and the FAA for making this program possible for the aviation industry,” said Roberts. “Our airline partners have also been strong supporters of the program and modified their procedures to use the new equipment to reduce emissions in our community.”
Through a public bid process, installation of the new units was awarded to Ameribridge, while Claypool Electric handled electrical work.
