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Denver International Airport Recognized as an Environmental Leader
November 13, 2006
First airport in nation to join EPA's Performance Track Program
(DENVER) Denver International Airport has become the first airport in the nation to be awarded membership in the Environmental Protection Agency's Performance Track, a voluntary program that recognizes facilities that consistently exceed regulatory requirements and excel in protecting human health and the environment.
"Denver International Airport is not only one of the busiest aviation facilities in the world, it is one of the greenest," said EPA Assistant Regional Administrator Steve Tuber. "With a state-of-the-art Environmental Management System that covers everything from alternative-fuel vehicles to deicing fluid recycling, the airport is living up to its reputation as an industry leader and a community asset."
To qualify for Performance Track, facilities must adopt and implement an Environmental Management System; demonstrate specific past environmental achievements; record sustained compliance with environmental requirements, and commit to continued environmental improvement, public outreach, and performance reporting.
DIA has developed an Environmental Management System (EMS) to reinforce environmental programs which outline a series of guidelines, policies, and processes that address environmental impacts in day-to-day business activities. The Denver Department of Aviation, which operates DIA, is committed to protecting the environment and supporting the City of Denver's environmental goals through participation in the city-wide initiative Greenprint Denver.
DIA's EMS includes comprehensive solid and hazardous waste reduction and recycling, air emissions management, and stormwater management programs. One example of the airport's environmental accomplishments is a more than 75 percent reduction in hazardous waste generation from 2003 to 2005. This large reduction is the result of product substitution, including the elimination of oil-based paints and thinners. In addition, for the 2005-2006 deicing season, DIA recycled more than 370,000 gallons of aircraft deicing fluid at its onsite glycol recycling facility.
Performance Track members also focus on opportunities for continual improvement. DIA has committed to a one percent annual decrease in gasoline used in its fleet vehicles each year. These reductions will result from the purchase of additional electric/gasoline hybrid or CNG/gasoline vehicles as replacements for older fleet vehicles and employee education regarding the idling of engines. The airport has also set goals of a five percent annual decrease in total disposed solid waste per passenger and reducing total energy use and greenhouse gas emissions by more than 10 percent by 2008.
Performance Track members receive a range of incentives such as public recognition and low priority for routine EPA inspections. Facilities are also eligible for several kinds of administrative flexibility and streamlined administrative requirements that reduce costs and enable members to achieve better environmental results. In addition, members benefit from special services, including a learning network, composed of top environmental performers, that has a mentoring program, tele-seminars, and EPA roundtable discussions.
DIA is the 10th Colorado facility to join the more than 400 Performance Track program members nationwide.
A summary of benefits, application guidelines, and a complete listing of facilities that are Performance Track members can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/performancetrack/.
For more information about Denver International Airport's environmental programs, visit: http://www.flydenver.com/diaBiz/community/enviro/.
For more on GreenPrint Denver, visit: http://www.greenprintdenver.org/.
Media Contacts
Mary Byrne
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(303) 312-6491
Richard Mylott
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(303) 312-6654
DIA Public Affairs Office
(303) 342-2250
media@diadenver.net
