Airport Energy Conference Comes To Seattle

-Sea-Tac leads nation's airports in energy efficiency, recycling-

Aviation industry leaders from all over the U.S. and Canada will converge on Seattle next week to learn how to make airports better stewards of the environment.

The Clean Airport Partnership is sponsoring the two-day conference starting on Monday, with Seattle-Tacoma International Airport as the local host. The purpose is to show airport operators how to reduce energy use and related costs.

"It's appropriate that Sea-Tac should host this conference," said Steve Howards of the Clean Airport Partnership. "Sea-Tac has been a national leader in energy conservation, and will be a great example for other airport operators."

Attendees at the conference will hear how Sea-Tac and other airports have set up energy conservation and recycling programs. Case studies and specific classroom sessions will include:

Meeting the Energy Needs of Security;

Funding Opportunities for Conservation Programs;

Defining Aggressive But Attainable Conservation Goals; and

The Business Rewards of Conservation.

When they started their program, officials at Sea-Tac learned that recycling and energy conservation programs quickly pay for themselves.

"Every one of our energy saving initiatives is also saving us money," said Doug Holbrook, airport utilities manager. "It turns out that conservation is not just the right thing to do, it's also good business,"

Sea-Tac began an expanded and aggressive recycling program in 2001. Holbrook found that it costs $20 per ton to recycle material, but $110 per ton to send that same material to the landfill. As a result, the Port is recycling 68 tons of material per month at a savings of nearly $75,000 annually.

About that same time, the Port began installing low-flow water fixtures in kitchen areas and restrooms. The savings has amounted to about 52 million gallons a year. The new fixtures are providing a 50% rate of return on the original investment.

Additionally, the low-flow fixtures mean that less water has to be heated for hot water taps. That has saved a significant amount on the airport's natural gas bill.

And finally, the during the energy crisis of 2000/2001 the Port started retrofitting existing lights with fluorescent fixtures. The new lights use 50% less energy and provided a 25% return on overall investment.

"In essence, when we talk about 'saving green,' we mean both money and trees," Holbrook said.

The conference is being held at the Seattle Sheraton Hotel and Towers. A conference registration and brochure are available at http://wwwcleanairports.com.