Hybrid Vehicles Added to ORD Fleet Through FAA VALE Program

CHICAGO, 2012-08-06 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Chicago Department of Aviation’s (CDA) fleet of alternatively fueled and hybrid vehicles at O’Hare International Airport just got a little greener with the delivery of three shiny, new Chevy Silverado Hybrid pickup trucks. The vehicles were financed with grant money awarded to the CDA through the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Voluntary Airport Low Emissions (VALE) Program.

The use of clean construction equipment, vehicles and fuels is an important component of the CDA’s overall mission to be the international leader in airport sustainability. There are now more than 90 “low-emission” vehicles operating at O’Hare including over 60 hybrid SUVs and pickups.

In addition, nearly all construction equipment at O’Hare is Tier 2 or newer and all construction vehicles working on the O’Hare Modernization Program (OMP) are required to use ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel.

VALE is an FAA incentive program that allows airports to use the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funds and Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs) to finance low emission vehicles, refueling and recharging stations, gate electrification, and other airport air quality improvements.

Under the grant agreement, the FAA pays 75 percent of the allowable costs incurred by the CDA for purchase of the vehicles. The CDA will receive approximately $25,000 from the FAA for this grant. The CDA obtained the VALE grant by submitting an application which was reviewed by the FAA, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA), and U.S. EPA Region 5.

For more information about the FAA’s VALE program click here. For more information about sustainability initiatives at Chicago’s airports, check out our annual Sustainability Report.

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