U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood announces $3.4 million grant for Albuquerque International Sunport

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced a $3.4 million Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant to build a solar farm to provide power at Albuquerque International Sunport in New Mexico.

“This grant will help pay for energy-saving innovation at Albuquerque International Sunport,” said Secretary LaHood. “Investing in sustainable infrastructure at our nation’s airports promotes economic growth and is good for the environment.”

The FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant will pay for installing solar panels on the canopy covering the airport’s long-term public parking lot to provide power for the airport’s use. The project will produce approximately 1,600 megawatt-hours of electrical energy annually, which is enough to power about 139 average U.S. homes for one year.

The project began in August 2012 and is scheduled for completion in May 2013.

“This grant will result in the renewable generation of electrical energy for the airport,” said Acting FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. “It will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality in the surrounding area.”

AIP provides $3.35 billion in annual funding for airport improvement projects that are vital to maintaining the safety, capacity and environmental stewardship of our airports. More than 3,300 airports are eligible for AIP grants benefiting commercial passengers, cargo operations and general aviation activities throughout the nation.