Denver International Airport is the first airport in the U.S. to be admitted into 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 (EMS); demonstrate specific past environmental achievements; record sustained compliance with environmental requirements, and commit to continued environmental improvement, public outreach, and performance reporting.
DIA’s EMS includes comprehensive solid and hazardous waste reduction and recycling, air emissions management, and stormwater management programs. As an example, the airport reduced hazardous waste generation by over 75% percent from 2003 to 2005, by eliminating oil-based paints and thinners. 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 1% annual decrease in gasoline used in its fleet vehicles each year by purchasing electric/gasoline hybrids or CNG/gasoline vehicles as replacements for older fleet vehicles, and by educating employees on engine idling. The airport has also set goals of a 5% annual decrease in total disposed solid waste per passenger and reducing total energy use and greenhouse gas emissions by more than 10%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.
http://www.epa.gov/performancetrack
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