2018

LAX Environmental - A Year in Review

01/13/2018 10:00 AM



A message from LAWA's CEO:

In our final reflection on 2017, we are proud of progress made in 2017 to make LAX and Van Nuys both cleaner and greener airports. We are committed to environmental sustainability and we optimize our environmental footprint through the use of natural resources, energy conservation and restoration.

We make socially responsible and environmentally conscious choices as we lead our airports with our core values and to fulfill our mission – to serve the world, connecting people, places, and cultures.

Deborah Flint CEO, Los Angeles World Airports

    Highlights:

  • VNY first business aviation airport in the world to achieve Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 2 - Reduction
  • Reducing vehicle trips by moving people mover project forward
  • Added 55 electrical vehicle charging stations, bringing total to 108
  • Increase percentage of all-electric light-duty vehicle purchases
  • New sustainability policies adopted for construction
  • Recycled food waste provides new source of clean and renewable energy
  • VNY recognizes "Friendly Flyers" who reduce aircraft noise


  • Awards and Honors:

  • Airport Carbon Accreditation, Level 3 - Optimization - LAX
  • Recognition of LAWA's installation of EV chargers through the "Charge Up L.A." Program - LADWP Sustainability Award
  • Recognition of LAWA's shifting of energy demand - LADWP Sustainability Award
  • 2017 South Bay Business Environmental Coalition's SoCal Environmental Excellence Development (SEED) Award - LAX Harvest Food Donation Program

Image of peoplemover concept art, the picture is a link to the youtube video.



People Mover Project Moves Forward

The Landside Access Modernization Program (LAMP) is designed to reduce traffic and emissions in and around LAX by adding a train that connects the terminal area to Los Angeles Metro’s light rail system, a consolidated rental car (ConRAC) facility, and additional parking structures with new areas for picking up and dropping off passengers. This project will be built using a Public Private Partnership (P3) Design Build Finance Operate Maintain (DBFOM) contracting model. This P3 will be the largest in the state of California.

In 2017, several milestones were reached on the development of the people mover at LAX. Request for Proposals (RFPs) were issued for the Automated People Mover (APM) system, the ConRAC and an Intermodal Transportation Facility. LAWA is anticipating breaking ground on the APM in 2018. These projects will reduce vehicle trips and reduce congestion in and around LAX.

To view the video, click here.

Picture of electric vehicles parked in stalls with chargers.



More EV Chargers at LAX

In 2017, LAWA added 55 charging stations at LAX, including 18 in Parking Structure 7, across from Terminal 7, bringing the total number of publically accessible charging stations at LAX to 101. Electric charging is free for guests.

“By installing EV charging stations and encouraging people to drive zero-emission vehicles, LAWA is helping to make the air we breathe cleaner and I greatly appreciate their work,” said Los Angeles City Councilmember Mike Bonin, whose District 11 includes LAX.

The 101 EV chargers are currently installed in Parking Structures 1, 6, and 7, at the Park 'N Fly/Park One, Economy Parking Lot C and at several administrative locations.

LAX Increases Light-Duty Electrical Vehicles

The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners adopted an Electric Vehicle Purchasing Policy this year to increase the use of all-electric light-duty vehicles in LAWA’s fleet vehicle operations. The policy introduces a requirement to gradually increase the percentage of all-electric light-duty vehicle purchases to 100 percent by 2035.

‘’The Electric Vehicle Purchasing Policy reflects LAWA’s continued commitment to green operations throughout our airports’ fleets and reaffirms Los Angeles’ status as a municipal leader in sustainable and green transportation,” said LAWA CEO Deborah Flint.

The policy will accelerate LAWA’s efforts to modernize its alternative fuel vehicle fleet with all-electric light-duty vehicles. Under the policy, LAWA’s goal will be to ensure that 50% of its light-duty vehicle purchases will be all-electric by the end of 2017, 80% by 2025 and 100% by 2035. LAWA exceeded its 2017 target with the purchase and delivery of 44 all-electric Chevy Bolts, with more to come in 2018.



LAX Increases Light Duty EV

Percentage of Electric Light Duty Vehicles at LAX:

2017 = 50%

2025 = 80%

2035 = 100%


Illustration of percentages above.

Illustration of the four LEED Certified plaques, including; Certified (green), Silver, Gold, and Platinum.



LAWA Adopts Sustainability Policies

LAWA continued its commitment to sustainability this year by adopting two new policies to ensure a greener future at LAX. The first is a Sustainable Design and Construction Policy for eligible construction projects at LAX and Van Nuys. This enhances LAWA’s existing environmentally conscious policies by requiring applicable new building construction and renovation projects be designed to achieve the United States Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification or higher.

The second new policy is a set of LAX-developed Sustainable Design and Construction Requirements, which apply sustainability requirements to airport-related construction projects that are not traditionally eligible for LEED certification (non-building projects).

Picture of large green recycle bins from various terminal restaurants.



Organic Waste Recycling Program

In partnership with the Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation (LASAN), LAWA began a pilot food-waste recycling program at LAX. LAWA's Maintenance Services Division, working closely with LASAN staff, collects food waste from a sit-down restaurant, a fast-food restaurant and a coffee house in Terminal 8 and an airline lounge in Terminal 7. LASAN collects and transports this food waste to a facility where it is recycled and converted into renewable natural gas, through an anaerobic digestion process and used as fuel. Residual solids and liquids from the process are made into beneficially reusable products such as soil amendments.

Picture of large green recycle bins from various terminal restaurants.



Working to Keep the LAX Dunes Healthy

LAWA continued its commitment to preserve the LAX Dunes by entering into a one-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The Bay Foundation to continue habitat maintenance and restoration efforts in the northern 48-acre portion of the LAX Dunes with a strong focus on the Coastal Dunes Improvement Project area.

The MOU follows the ongoing efforts of both LAWA and nonprofit volunteer groups to restore the habitat for plant and wildlife species. “The LAX Dunes nature preserve is a local treasure, and we’re excited to have the Bay Foundation by our side to protect and restore it,” said LAWA Board of Airport Commissioners Vice President Valerie Velasco.

The LAX Dunes Preserve is the largest remaining coastal dune area in Southern California. The 307-acre preserve also supports the 203-acre El Segundo Blue Butterfly Habitat Restoration Area.



Van Nuys Recognizes "Friendly Flyers"

Van Nuys general aviation airport's committment to noise reduction was exemplified by 33 general aviation companies who recieved "Friendly Flyer" awards for their compliance with the airport's "Fly Friendly Program" in 2016. The winners were honored for their outstanding achievement at VNY by adhering to all established noise abatement regulations and achieving 99 percent or greater compliance with all voluntary noise abatement programs.

“This award is a major accomplishment for operators who comply with some of the most stringent airport noise programs,” said Trevor Daley, Deputy Executive Director of External Affairs for Los Angeles World Airports.

The voluntary Fly Friendly/Quiet Departure Program for jet aircraft was established in 1994 to address the community’s concerns regarding jet aircraft noise in neighboring areas. LAWA created the annual "Friendly Flyer" award in 2012 to acknowledge those jet operators who complied with all noise abatement policies and procedures and achieved the highest level of success in adhering to the voluntary No Early Turn and Fly Friendly/Quiet Departure Programs.

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