(Albany, New York): – Congressman Michael R. McNulty (D-Green Island) and Rev. Michael A. Farano, chairman of the Albany County Airport Authority, today announced a major expansion of Albany’s Voluntary Airport Low Emission (VALE) program. A $400,422 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will pay for ten new zero-emission “green” electric-powered ground support vehicles that will tow airline baggage carts and load luggage on and off aircraft, replacing older diesel and gasoline-powered vehicles.

“The Airport Authority is committed to pursuing cost-effective new technologies and practices that can improve the level of service to our airlines and travelers,” said Rev. Farano. “The new equipment will reduce Airport emissions and enable our airlines to reduce their operational costs at a time when fuel prices are at record highs.”

Congressman McNulty said, “The goal of the VALE program is to reduce the amount of pollutants and harmful emissions generated by ground vehicles at airports. The federal government is committed to developing environmentally sound transportation policy using ‘clean’ technologies, and this grant provides Albany International Airport with resources to make good on that commitment. I applaud Chairman Farano and the Airport Authority for their dedication to improving air quality, as the Albany International Airport is one of only two airports in the nation to receive funds under this program.”

McNulty, too, noted that rising oil prices make the grant award particularly timely. “Aviation continues to be one of the most energy-intensive sectors of our national transportation system,” he said. “The VALE program supports efforts to increase U.S. energy independence by utilizing domestically produced alternative fuels that are largely non-petroleum based.”

In addition, the New York Power Authority (NYPA) has provided a supplemental grant of $74,026 in co-funding. “We are pleased to support the Albany International Airport’s transition to clean, zero-emission electric drive ground support vehicles. Under Governor George E. Pataki’s leadership, NYPA has placed 750 electric-drive vehicles into service across the Empire State. Working with local governments, state agencies and non-profit organizations, we’re moving to reduce New York State’s oil dependency and improve air quality with clean-fuel vehicles,” said NYPA Chairman Joseph J. Seymour.

The Airport began its VALE program in 2005 with a $23,268 incentive from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Funds were received through NYSERDA’s Flexible Technical Assistance Program (FlexTech), which provides cost-shared technical assistance services to New York State industrial and commercial facilities, State and local governments, not-for-profit, private, and educational institutions, multi-family buildings, and health care facilities. The funds are used to assist these entities by providing a variety of custom, energy-efficiency services.

“NYSERDA is pleased to have provided technical assistance, through our FlexTech Program, to assist Albany International Airport’s VALE Program during its FAA grant process,” said Peter R. Smith, President of NYSERDA. “NYSERDA has partnered with Airport officials in several projects, and commends them for their efforts to provide a fleet of clean-fueled vehicles at the Albany International Airport. This endeavor provides economic and environmental benefits to the entire community.”

The funding will also provide for the installation of an electric charging station, the purchase of two additional shuttle buses powered by natural gas, and improvements to the Airport’s existing compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station.

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