DFW International Airport's Environmental Success Lands EPA Recognition - Earns Participation in National Environmental Performance Track Program

(DFW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – March 1, 2007) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that DFW International Airport has earned a spot in its prestigious National Environmental Performance Track program, reserved for top businesses and organizations that demonstrate the highest level of environmental leadership in the country. The EPA made the announcement with the DFW Board of Directors and Mayors of Dallas and Fort Worth at the Airport. 

“Performance Track members are raising the bar when it comes to environmental stewardship,” said EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene. “Every day, these top performers go above and beyond to conserve resources and cut pollution without sacrificing productivity or profits. That’s a win-win for our environment and our economy.” 

DFW’s impressive environmental achievements spanning the past five years have included: reducing air emissions by 95 percent; capturing and treating five million pounds of spent aircraft deicing fluid; and converting 100 percent of its light-to-medium duty fleet – as well as 100 percent of its bus and shuttle fleet – to alternative fuels. 

“We are not only the economic engine of the North Texas economy and air travel resources, but we are also stewards of our environmental resources,” said Jeff Fegan, DFW’s CEO. “In the past two years, we have opened a new international terminal adding two million square feet to our facility, yet we have driven down our energy use and increased our air and water quality tremendously. While the DFW Board’s environmental initiatives have been ambitious, I knew they were achievable and had to be accomplished if we were to honor the public’s trust in us.” 

Additionally, Fegan gave individual credit to DFW’s Executive Vice President of Operations Jim Crites and Vice President of Environmental Affairs Dan Bergman along with their employees, for innovating environmental policies and procedures that are setting standards for the global aviation industry, as well as North Texas. 

“This event validates many years of work this Board and this Airport have undertaken to preserve our richest inheritance - our land, water and air,“ said Jan Collmer, chairman of the DFW International Airport Board of Directors. “Sound environmental policy is not only a high priority, it is essential to the success of our Airport and our community. Our measurable achievements speak volumes to our commitment. We are very proud to be green.” 

Members of the EPA’s National Environmental Performance Track program provide leadership in diverse areas of environmental performance and commit to continuous improvement. Program members come from all segments of the business community and provide leadership in many areas, such as energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and water consumption. The program provides a forum for corporations, trade associations and public entities involved in Performance Track to engage in a positive dialogue with EPA, identify and share best practices, and provide insights for increasing incentives for participation. 

“Air quality is a huge and ongoing issue for our cities, our governments, and our businesses,” said Mike Moncrief, Mayor of Fort Worth. “However, when faced with a challenge, we here in North Texas show others how it’s done. We do things the ‘right’ way. This is yet another example. By participating in the National Environmental Performance Track Program, DFW International Airport is exhibiting strong regional leadership.” 

Environmental stewardship for DFW represents an investment in the regions’ future, and will enhance citizens’ collective quality of life. DFW stepped up to the challenge by establishing an environmental compliance and natural resources awareness-training program, engaging the participation of its 1,700 employees in its airport-wide commitment to environmental stewardship. DFW has demonstrated its commitment to environmental excellence, and is well on its way to becoming one of the greenest airports in the world. Airports Council International - North America Centerlines Magazine published a special edition in 2006 featuring DFW as an ‘Environmental Star.’ 

“DFW is a world-class Airport and continues to lead the industry and North Texas in the area of environmentalism,” said Laura Miller, Mayor of Dallas. “The Airport has converted almost all of its vehicle fleet to alternative fuels and upgraded its central plant through its environmental initiatives to conserve energy and reduce pollutants. Many lessons can be learned from DFW’s leadership in the movement to go green, and both the City of Dallas, and the region as a whole, are fortunate to have a leading example of excellent environmental policy right here in our backyard.” 

Performance Track is a partnership that recognizes top environmental performance among participating U.S. facilities of all types, sizes, and complexity, public and private. More information on the program can be found online at: www.epa.gov/performancetrack . 

How ‘Green’ is DFW International Airport?

DFW International Airport has achieved the following environmental successes over the past five years: • Reduced air emission by 95 percent • Captured and treated five million pounds of spent aircraft deicing fluid – preventing discharge to the creeks and rivers surrounding the Airport • Replaced aged boilers and chillers with state-of-the-art technology, reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by 39 tons per year • Replaced 100 percent of the light-to-medium duty fleet; 72 percent of heavy duty and off-road fleet; and 100 percent of the bus and shuttle van fleet – all reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by 475 tons per year • Reduced our energy footprint by 25 million British thermal units (MMBTUs) • Reused 2.5 million cubic yards of excavated soil saving $1.5 million in materials acquisition costs • Recycled 355,000 tons of demolition debris for on-airport cement production • Recycled 180 tons of white paper per month • Recycled 160 tons of cardboard per month • Recycled 4,000 pounds of spent fluorescent light bulbs annually • Recycled 6,000 gallons of used oil and seven cubic yards of spent oil filters annually