Airport Sustainability

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To complement the EONS framework, the airports follow the Port Authority agency wide sustainability policy:

• Reduce emissions from facilities 80% from 2006 levels by 2050.
• Encourage customers, tenants, and partners to conduct their businesses in a more sustainable fashion, including reductions in their own GHG emissions.
• Develop strategies that reduce the risk posed by climate change to facilities and regional infrastructure.

The full text of the Port Authority's sustainability policy can be found here.

The Port Authority has published Sustainable Management Plans for Stewart International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, and Teterboro Airport and is rolling out initiatives detailed in each of the plans. Some of the marquee initiatives include:

• Evaluation and potential overhaul of waste and recycling programs.
• Focus on climate change adaptation and building resilience.
• Tenant outreach and support on emissions reduction projects.
• Support for airfield and aircraft efficiency initiatives.
• Employee health and community outreach programs.

Delay Reduction & Airspace Efficiency

In addition, the Port Authority supports NextGen, a nationwide modernization of air traffic control to increase airspace efficiency. NextGen seeks to transform the National Airspace System from a ground-based one of air traffic control to a satellite-based system. The Federal Aviation Administration's Next Generation Air Transportation System will alleviate delays at the nation's most congested and delay-prone airports. Click here to learn more.

Other delay reduction initiatives include:

• Surface congestion management system (Aerobahn) helps airlines save 5 million gallons of aviation fuel per year and 14,800 hours of taxi-out time. This installation helped JFK win the 2012 ACI-NA Environmental Achievement Award for Special and Innovative Projects.
• Construction of high speed taxiways expected to reduce aircraft fuel use and taxi time while aircraft are on the ground.

Aircraft Noise Mitigation

Following are measures that have been implemented to reduce aircraft noise and its impacts on the communities:

• Airport Noise and Operations Monitoring System

The Port Authority utilizes Airport Noise and Operations Monitoring System (ANAMS) to collect noise and flight data from airport and community monitoring sites for JFK, EWR, LGA, and TEB airports in addition to flight track data from the FAA. It is the primary tool used by the Port Authority's noise office to research disturbances and to monitor noise abatement procedures.

• Departure Noise Limits

As part of the "Terms and Conditions for the Operation of Jet Aircraft" at JFK, Newark Liberty, and LaGuardia, takeoffs are permitted only if they are conducted below the noise level of 112 PNdB. It is the responsibility of each air carrier to determine methods of compliance, such as thrust reduction, turns away from the community, limitations of gross weight, or utilizing aircraft with quieter engines.

• Preferential Runway Usage

Preferential runway systems are in place at each of the airports, which attempt to minimize the use of the most noise-sensitive runways. In this concept, an airport's runways are ranked on the basis of noise annoyance they cause. Therefore, an attempt is made by the FAA to use those runways that cause the most annoyance least frequently and conversely, to use those that cause the least annoyance most frequently.

• Noise Abatement Departure Procedures

Noise Abatement Departure procedures and techniques are used to reduce community noise by directing the flow of traffic away from densely populated areas and by distributing over-flights over various communities. Although the residential areas surrounding each airport are densely populated, they are also adjacent to unpopulated areas. Water bodies, park areas, wetlands, highways, and industrial areas at each airport present an opportunity to avoid or reduce the extent to which residential areas are over-flown. Working with the operating airlines and the FAA, a number of noise-abatement approach and departure procedures have been developed and implemented.

• Ground Run-up Restrictions

The Port Authority has implemented aircraft ground run-up restrictions at each airport to minimize run-up noise impacts in the nearby residential areas. The Port Authority must approve run-up location and aircraft orientation. During the night-time hours, no air carrier may conduct more than one run-up at a time, and no more than one engine may be run-up at full power for more than one minute.

• Displaced Runway Thresholds

A displaced threshold is a runway marking that identifies the runway threshold for landing aircraft, at a location other than the physical end of the runway. Because a displaced landing threshold is farther down the runway than the actual runway end, aircraft on approach must maintain a higher altitude to reach the extended touchdown point, which results in a slight decrease in noise over residential areas located near the ends of runways. The Port Authority has incorporated displaced runway thresholds on runways at JFK, Newark Liberty, and Teterboro airports.

• Community Outreach

The Port Authority works closely with communities and elected officials throughout the region with regard to aircraft noise and other airport issues.

• Aircraft Noise Restrictions

In accordance with the Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990 (ANCA), airplanes with certificated weights greater than 75,000 pounds must conform to Stage III noise limits at Port Authority Airports. Stage III noise limits are defined in Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 36 noise level classifications. In addition, airplanes that are type certificated after January 1, 2006 must meet Stage IV noise limits.

• Voluntary overnight curfew on aircraft operations at LaGuardia Airport

To reduce noise, the Port Authority asks the airlines to voluntarily avoid scheduling aircraft operations before 6 a.m. and after 12 midnight at LaGuardia airport. This has a positive effect with regard to aircraft noise at night.

• Overnight closure at LaGuardia Airport during Summer months

From late May until October, as conditions permit, the Port Authority closes the airport during the night-time hours from midnight until 6:00 a.m. for required maintenance, which has a positive effect with regard to aircraft noise at night.

• School-Soundproofing Program

The Port Authority has implemented a school-soundproofing program under which schools in high noise-impacted areas have been selected for treatment. These schools are retrofitted with new windows, insulation, and ventilation systems. Actual noise measurements, taken before and after the work, have shown a reduction in aircraft-noise intrusion levels of at least 50 percent in the classroom. The Port Authority under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funds this program with the approval of the Federal Aviation Administration.

• Noise Complaint Collection System

The Port Authority has implemented a new automated noise hotline to collect community noise complaints. The toll free phone number for filing noise complaints is 800-225-1071. Noise complaints can also be filed electronically by filling out the web form.

Sustainability Programs in Action

Energy Efficiency

• Efficient buildings and vehicles improve air quality for passengers and airport employees.
• The Port Authority has been leading the way on alternative fuels for vehicles for several years, with hydrogen, Compressed Natural Gas, hybrid, and biodiesel vehicles in its fleet.

• Installation of pre-conditioned air and gate power at Port Authority controlled gates at Newark Liberty and Stewart to reduce use of aircraft auxiliary power units while at the gate. Additionally, all tenants at Newark Liberty, LaGuardia, and JFK have installed or plan to install pre-conditioned air/gate power units at tenant-operated terminals.
• Installation of energy efficient lighting on airfields and in buildings.
  • Efficient lighting retrofits are expected to save $54,000 per year in electricity costs at Stewart International Airport.
• Installation of energy efficient equipment in facilities.
  • A chiller replacement at Newark Liberty International is saving the airport $500,000 per year in electricity costs.
• Encouraging tenant purchase of electric ground support equipment to replace gas- or diesel-fired equipment.
• Use of 20 percent biodiesel in all diesel powered equipment owned by the Port Authority.
• Hybrid-electric parking shuttle buses.
• Hybrid and alternative fuel light-duty vehicles in use throughout the Port Authority fleet.
• Agency commitment for all new light duty vehicle purchases to be hybrid or alternative fuel.

Recycling

We are building on recycling efforts by establishing a comprehensive policy and program for all of our airports. A major part of the program is the availability of recycling in the public areas of the passenger terminals. At least 75 percent of selected construction and demolition waste is recycled at all airports.

Supporting our Customers and Community

• Installation of publically accessible electric vehicle charging stations at JFK and LGA.
• Introducing green cleaning products whenever possible in all indoor spaces.
• Community events such as Earth Day fairs, educational tours, and job fairs held on a regular basis.

Sustainable Construction

• Pervious pavement is used in a parking lot at Stewart International to minimize runoff.
• High reflectivity surfaces are used during construction to mitigate heat island effect.
• Durable, long-life concrete was used during bay runway construction at JFK (rather than asphalt).

Port Authority-Wide Sustainability Initiatives

• Employee rideshare program.
• Employee volunteer programs such as the 9/11 Remembrance through Renewal Program.
• Participation in agency-wide Greenhouse Gas Inventories.
• And many more.