Airports and ports in New York and New Jersey to become greener
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Chairman
Anthony R. Coscia has revealed that the Port Authority will undertake an effort with a goal to reducethe global warming impact of Port Authority ports and airports by 80 percent inthe long term.
I am pleased to announce that the Port Authority will develop a comprehensive strategy over the next two years for implementing alternative energy solutions at our airports and ports - a combination of efficiency, renewable energy and renewable energy credits - with the ultimate goal of reducing carbon emissions, our so-called carbon footprint, Mr. Coscia said.
Additionally, he stated the agency must think of its environmental impact in terms of
the signs outside of parks telling you to take out what you bring in.
The environmental initiative puts the agency at the forefront of meeting Governor Corzine`s statewide greenhouse gas reduction target set in a February 2007 Executive Order, and stems from the Governor`s speech at NJIT last year in which he called for environmentally sustainable practices at ports and airports in his economic development plan.
Mr. Coscia noted that it would be impossible to bring critical facilities like
the airports and ports to zero carbon emissions, but a greatly reduced net
impact could achieved though a number of measures including:
- geothermal heating and cooling of buildings
- on-site power generation through the use of fuel cells
- use of renewable energy from wind and solar projects
- having planes use docking stations to power up at airports rather than idling their engines
- using electrified tugs and other alternative fuel rampside equipment
- using planes like the A380 to carry more passengers on flights that also are more environmentally efficient
- offsetting greenhouse gas emissions by purchasing renewable energy credits
Mr. Coscia said the agency`s efforts would help bolster the renewable energy market.
Our strategy would also seek to offset emissions by tapping into the market of large-scale clean energy generation in our region. In this way the Port Authority would not only be helping to avert global warming, it would also be contributing to a promising sector of our regional economy, Mr. Coscia said.
Mr. Coscia delivered the commencement address at the New Jersey Institute of Technology`s (NJIT) 2007 Commencement Ceremony.
Michael Verikios
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Tuesday, May 22, 2007