United States Shuttle Tender

In recognition of Earth Week 2019 the Port Authority announced that 50 percent of its shuttle bus fleet at the three major regional airports will be all-electric by the summer. Twelve of the buses already are in operation six at Newark Liberty International and six at John F. Kennedy International. An additional six buses are coming to LaGuardia Airport by the end of June.The 18 buses make up 50 percent of the full fleet being converted from diesel to electric power. The Port Authority is now targeting the end of 2020 to have a 100-percent electric shuttle bus fleet accelerating the agencys original goal. New charging stations to power this first phase of electric bus deployment have been installed as part of the program at each airport.The buses in the first deployment phase will save approximately 269 tons of greenhouse gas emissions and approximately 40000 gallons of diesel fuel at each airport each year. In addition these zero emissions buses will improve local air quality by removing approximately 2000 pounds of nitrous oxide and 150 pounds of particulate matter from the air each year. The buses battery-operated and 40 feet long - have an estimated range of about 250 miles per charge with each charge taking less than four hours.The electric bus program is a key component of the Port Authoritys Clean Dozen environmental and sustainability agenda designed to meet the goal of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent by 2025 and advancing its long-term goal of an 80-percent reduction in all emissions by 2050.The agencys Clean Dozen initiatives were rolled out in October at the same time the Port Authority Board of Commissioners embraced the Paris Climate Agreement becoming the first public transportation agency in the United States to commit to the global climate agreement.In addition to upgrading the airport shuttle fleet the Port Authority has achieved a number of initiatives includingPartnering with the New York Power Authority NYPA on development of10 megawatts of on-site solar facilities at JFK including a 5-megawatt community solar project offering low-cost renewable energy to local residents.A 1.2-million lighting upgrade at the Jamaica AirTrain Station in Queens also in partnership with NYPA to be completed by the end of the year.Adding the first all-electric straddle carrier at a United States port to be operational by the end of 2019 after testing with Maher Terminals at the Elizabeth Port Authority Marine Terminal. One carrier reduces greenhouse gases equivalent to 52 fewer passenger vehicles.Launching construction of a 1.6-megawatt solar carport at New York Stewart International Airport.The Port Authoritys commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement and pursuit of aggressive GHG reduction targets are key to reducing the agencys environmental impact on local communities and promoting sustainability at all of our facilities said Board Chairman Kevin OToole.Were taking action on sustainability and our conversion to all-electric airport shuttle buses well ahead of schedule is a prime example said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. In the past six months alone weve not only reinforced our commitment to policies and strategies that will help the environment but achieved significant results in our effort to make the spirit of the Paris agreement a reality for our agency and customers.The Port Authority has made progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions at our facilities which will help us achieve our interim GHG reduction goal of 35 percent by 2025 said Christine Weydig director of the PAs Office of Environmental and Energy Programs. Through partnerships with coalitions dedicated to climate action and collaboration with regional stakeholders we are playing an important role in catalyzing the collective action needed to fight climate change.The Clean Dozen initiatives cover seven specific areas of sustainability and environmental action across the agency - clean electric vehicles energy efficiency solar and renewable energy programs building green facilities clean ship practices for ocean-going vessels offshore wind and partnering to combat climate change.