01
September
2011
|
09:40 AM
America/Chicago

DFW International Airport Now Ranked Among EPA National Top 50 for Green Power Purchases

Airport Reduces Carbon Footprint, Supports New Development of Clean Renewable Resources At No Added Cost

(DFW AIRPORT, TX – September 1, 2011) – DFW International Airport has earned a place on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Top 50 list of partner organizations using the most renewable electricity to help reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and protect human health. DFW Airport ranks at number 48 among the nation’s top purchasers of renewable energy, and ranks at number eight on the Top 20 Local Government purchasers list produced by the EPA. DFW is the highest ranked airport for green energy usage, and one of only two airports recognized by the EPA.
“Our Board and staff are committed to making DFW one of the greenest airports in the world, and using renewable energy is a primary way to achieve that goal,” said Jeff Fegan, CEO for DFW Airport. “We are making a proactive choice to support cleaner renewable energy alternatives, and move away from traditional sources where we can.”
DFW Airport is currently purchasing 87 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually from Champion Energy Services, which amounts to enough green power to meet 30 percent of the Airport's total electricity needs. DFW has increased its usage by 10 percent above the level of renewable energy purchased last year, as the Airport continues to expand its use of clean energy.
“This new ranking shows that DFW is committed to increasing its efforts on sustainability and responsible environmental stewardship, but we are doing in in a financially responsible way,” said Jim Crites, DFW Executive Vice President of Operations. “Thanks to our partnership with Champion Energy Services, DFW has increased its purchases of green power from 20% to 30% with no cost impact to the Airport.”
According to the U.S. EPA, DFW’s green power purchase of 87 million kWh is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the burning of 4.8 million gallons of gasoline annually or the CO2 emissions from the use of electricity in 5300 average American homes per year.
Green power is electricity that is generated from renewable resources such as solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, biomass, and low-impact hydropower. Purchases of green power help accelerate the nation’s voluntary green power market and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful pollutants that threaten Americans’ health from the power sector.