EPA Recognizes DFW International Airport for Leading Green Power Purchase

Airport Reduces Carbon Footprint, Supports New Development of Clean Renewable Resources

DFW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Texas, April 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- DFW International Airport announced today that it has increased its ranking to No. 9 on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Top 20 Local Government list of the largest green power purchasers. This increased purchase further demonstrates DFW's commitment to protecting the environment and builds upon its existing partnership with EPA's Green Power Partnership.

"We are grateful for this latest recognition from the Environmental Protection Agency for our use of energy renewable sources," said Jeff Fegan, CEO for DFW. "We're committed to making DFW one of the greenest airports in the world, and this is one way we know we can and do make a difference."

The Airport is purchasing 60 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually from Champion Energy Services, which is enough green power to meet 20 percent of the organization's electricity use. This demonstrates a proactive choice to move from traditional sources of electricity and support cleaner renewable energy alternatives.

"This new honor is proof that we at DFW are not only committed to green power, but also to steadily increasing our efforts on sustainability," said Jim Crites, DFW's Executive Vice President of Operations. "DFW has demonstrated its commitment to the highest standards of environmental stewardship, and because of this, the Airport and the entire North Texas region see a benefit."

Earlier this week, EPA updated each of its National Top Partner lists, highlighting some of America's largest green power purchasers. Each list highlights EPA Green Power Partners that have completed the largest annual voluntary purchases through April 6, 2010. EPA updates its Top Partner Lists quarterly at http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/toplists/.

This purchase also qualifies DFW for EPA's Green Power Leadership Club, a distinction given to organizations that have significantly exceeded EPA's minimum purchase requirements. Green Power Leadership Club members must purchase ten times the partnership's minimum requirement organization-wide.

"DFW is leading the way in showing how green power can protect the environment," said EPA Regional Administrator Al Armendariz. "Taking action on climate change and improving air quality are two of our highest priorities. By using renewable power sources, we can change the way we generate electricity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

Green power is electricity that is generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro. These resources generate electricity with a net zero increase in carbon dioxide emissions, while offering a superior environmental profile compared to traditional power generation sources. Green power purchases also support the development of new renewable energy generation sources nationwide.

According to the U.S. EPA, DFW's green power purchase of 60 million kWh is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of more than 8,000 passenger vehicles per year or the CO2 emissions from the electricity use of more than 5,000 average American homes annually.

About DFW International Airport

Located halfway between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, DFW International Airport is the world's third busiest, offering nearly 1,750 flights per day and serving 57 million passengers a year. DFW provides non-stop service to 138 domestic and 38 international destinations worldwide.  For the past four years in a row, DFW has ranked in the top five for customer service among large airports worldwide in passenger surveys conducted worldwide by Airports Council International. For the latest news, real-time flight information, parking availability or further details regarding the many services provided at DFW International Airport, log on to www.dfwairport.com.

About EPA's Green Power Partnership

The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that encourages organizations to buy green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with purchased electricity use. The Partnership currently has more than 1,200 Partner organizations voluntarily purchasing billions of kilowatt-hours of green power annually. Partners include a wide variety of leading organizations such as Fortune 500 companies, small and medium sized businesses, local, state, and federal governments, and colleges and universities. For additional information, please visit http://www.epa.gov/greenpower.

SOURCE DFW International Airport