US airport to become first solely heated by renewable natural gas

According to Airport World, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is to become the US first airport to be heated entirely by renewable natural gas.

The Port of Seattle has announced its Request for Proposals that is calling for renewable natural gas service to supply Sea-Tac Airport’s boilers and bus fuelling system.

Arlyn Purcell, director of Aviation Environment and Sustainability at the airport said, “The port can play a major role in creating a renewable natural gas market because we offer stable, long term use of gas.”

“If we can attract a project developer to supply the airport, this will spur more opportunities to feed the current gas pipeline with RNG rather than have landfills or digesters flare the gas on-site or allowing their methane emissions to escape into the air,” added Purcell.

The Port of Seattle has implemented strong greenhouse gas reduction goals under its Century Agenda. It aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its own operations by 50% from 2005 levels by 2030 and also aims to be carbon neutral or carbon negative by 2050.