Sea-Tac to Purchase Natural Gas Vehicles for Ground Fleet

Initial conversion includes 16 buses, 2 sweepers

(Seattle)--The Port of Seattle Commission today approved the purchase of 16 buses and two pavement sweepers to be powered by natural gas, for use at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The decision is part of the Port's overall plan to, whenever possible, switch to cleaner burning alternative fuels for its vehicles.

The buses and sweepers will replace diesel-powered equipment currently in operation. The buses transport airport, tenant and airline employees from off-site parking lots to their work areas. The sweepers are used on airfield pavement areas and on roads leading into the airport.

"This is just the first in what we hope will be a series of conversions to cleaner burning fuels," said Gina Marie Lindsey, Managing Director of Aviation for the Port of Seattle. "As we replace other vehicles in the future we will again look for equipment that can operate on alternative fuels."

It's expected that replacement of just the 16 buses and 2 sweepers could reduce vehicle air emissions around the airport by 16 tons annually. Greater reductions could be achieved in future years as more vehicles are converted.

In September, the Port Commission authorized construction of a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) refueling station. The facility will be located just off airport property, and available to other local jurisdictions that might also want to switch.

"Being a leader is more than just doing the right thing ourselves," said Lindsey. "By making the refueling station convenient for other jurisdictions we make it possible for them to do the right thing too."

The 16 buses are expected to cost $5.4 million. The Port expects bids for the sweepers to come in at around $400,000 each.

"We'll see if we can find another agency that is about to make a purchase and join with them," said the Port's Michael Feldman, Director of Aviation Facilities. "That could save us both some money."

Purchase of the equipment will be funded as part of the airport's Capital Improvement Program. Employees using off-site lots are charged a fee, and the fees will be used to retire the debt.