Voluntary FAA program to reduce emissions at airports is very modestly successful

In 2004, the Federal Aviation Administration established the Voluntary Airport Low Emissions (VALE) program. VALE allows airports to use federal money normally set aside for noise and air quality projects to be used for emissions reduction programs. Currently only 9 of 160 eligible airports participate in the program. A recent GAO report on VALE concludes the program is a moderate success, which given the number of participating airports is a generous conclusion. VALE projects which have been initiated will reduce emissions of NOx, CO, particulates, and VOCs by 5,700 tons over the projects'' lifetimes (which is ten to forty years). Some airports told GAO that they are not participating because they want to use the funds for safety and capacity improvements; GAO points out that this view is in error because the moneys are from a fund that is suppose to be used only for noise abatement and air quality projects. The FAA has found that the projects most effective in reducing emissions are those designed to minimize the use of aircraft engines on the ground and the use of vehicles to supply the aircraft. For example, some airports have systems designed to deliver preconditioned air to aircraft during loading and unloading; these systems also provide electrical service so that the aircraft engines do not need to be running. Several airports have also installed underground systems for refueling aircraft so that trucks do not have to be used. Some airports have used the funds for low-emission vehicles; GAO concludes that this strategy is less effective than those that provide air, electricity, and fuel to aircraft at the gate. The GAO report on VALE can be found at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d0937.pdf.