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Hartsfield International Airport Receives Award For Keeping the Skies Clear

Release Date: 02/26/2009
Contact Information: Dawn Harris-Young, (404) 562-8421, [email protected]

(Atlanta, Ga. – February 26, 2009) — The United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Southeast Diesel Collaborative has recognized Hartsfield International Airport with the Leadership Council Award, during a reception event yesterday evening at the Southeastern Lifecycle Construction Conference. This is the first year the Southeastern Diesel Collaborative (SEDC) Leadership Council has presented the Leadership Award to recognize an exemplary project in emissions reductions in the southeast.

During the building of the 5^th runway, Hartsfield used state of the art conveyer technology, which prevented the need for nearly 5 million dump trucks and almost 30 months of extra work. This also eliminated nearly 2,600 tons of harmful emissions, while using clean construction equipment. A dump truck typically emits as much particulate matter as 500 new cars. By eliminating the need for dump trucks to move dirt, Hartsfield saved fuel and money, reducing pollution and providing a healthier environment for their employees and the neighboring community.

“EPA is proud to recognize the efforts of Hartsfield to improve air quality and protect public health,” said Stan Meiburg, EPA Acting Regional Administrator. “Because emissions from diesel engines are a serious public health threat and environmental challenge, reducing these emissions is a priority for EPA.”

"Hartsfield-Jackson and the city of Atlanta are committed to seeking innovative and cost-effective solutions to environmental management issues. The dirt conveyor system for the Airport's fifth runway is a great example of this commitment, eliminating nearly 2.5 million dump truck trips and associated emissions," Ben DeCosta, Hartsfield-Jackson aviation general manager.

The Southeast Diesel Collaborative is a partnership composed of leaders from federal, state and local government, the private sector and other stakeholders in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The goal of the collaborative is to improve air quality by encouraging the use of clean, renewable energy and by reducing diesel emissions from existing engines and equipment from the agriculture, heavy construction and on-road sectors.

The Southeast Diesel Collaborative is part of EPA’s National Clean Diesel Campaign, a program combining regulatory measures with voluntary initiatives to reduce pollution emitted from diesel engines across the country. Visit the Southeast Diesel Collaborative at http://www.southeastdiesel.org and the National Clean Diesel Campaign at: https://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel.