Albany airport looks to reduce carbon footprint with green initiative

Commercial planes carrying massive amounts of jet fuel leave behind a big carbon footprint.

COLONIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Commercial planes carrying massive amounts of jet fuel leave behind a big carbon footprint. "Aviation has in general a major impact on carbon effect in the world," said Albany International Airport CEO Philip Calderone.

The airport has a goal of becoming carbon neutral by the year 2040. Some of their sustainability efforts are already taking off as Calderone explained. "For a variety of initiatives, everything from solar arrays, to new LED lighting, to EV charging stations."

It's one of the first airports in the entire country to implement glycol recovery. The process involves collecting excess liquid that is used to de-ice planes during cold weather and process it into purified water. The technique helps the airport earn special recognition from the Airports Council International.

Now, airport leaders are turning their attention to one of the main sources of pollution. Finding pathways for sustainable aviation fuel that would reduce carbon emissions. "Trying to help with our local research facilities to integrate it into airport infrastructure," said Connor Haskin, Chief Airport Planner. "As of today, we are not able to provide it to the commercial airline due to the price point."

But Haskin says mass production could make it more viable in five to 10 years time.

With 1.4 million passengers walking through the airport annually, the energy efficient upgrades will be felt on the inside as well. "So we are gonna be looking at essentially utilizing earth temperature within the inner core to ensure we can draw on that energy and bring it up," Haskin explained. "It's one of the cleanest renewable energy we can have here at the airport."

Haskin's description is of geothermal energy, and it'll heat and cool the main terminal more efficiently as it looks to expand. The initiatives saving energy -- and a lot of green -- with millions of dollars in savings over the years.