Environmental

The Allegheny County Airport Authority (ACAA) is committed to protecting and preserving the environment, supporting conservation and sustainability initiatives year-round through a variety of programs and community service efforts. With more than 9,000 acres of land at Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) and Allegheny County Airport (AGC), the ACAA’s Environmental team oversees environmental compliance, sustainability and water systems programming. PIT has been recognized nationally for its industry-leading environmental and sustainability efforts, while a transformed airport arriving in 2025 is being shaped to draw on more efficient, environmentally friendly designs and practices.

The Transformed PIT

PIT is being transformed with new facilities designed with a focus on reducing energy consumption, emissions, water usage and waste. We are actively pursuing LEED certification for the new PIT terminal and customer service structures through elements that include:
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An innovative NaTeCo design approach, integrating Nature, Technology and Community to highlight our commitment to sustainability and environmental harmony
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Rainwater harvesting systems to provide sustainable rainwater management and reduce outdoor water use
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A focus on building energy system commissioning and verification to ensure operational efficiency, with building-level energy metering in place to optimize usage
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Impressive strides in waste management and sustainable material sourcing including an approximately 99% construction waste diversion and sourcing 39% materials with recycled content
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Advanced HVAC systems and enhanced air quality strategies for thermal and indoor comfort
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An innovative NaTeCo design approach, integrating Nature, Technology and Community to highlight our commitment to sustainability and environmental harmony
Additionally, PIT’s new parking complex is pursuing Parksmart certification, the world’s only certification program focused on advancing sustainable practices in parking structures, through elements including:
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A minimum recycling and reuse rate of 85% for construction waste
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Little to no VOC coatings, paints and sealants
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Energy efficient lighting systems and controls
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Sustainability

The ACAA team is currently working on a variety of sustainability initiatives to reduce environmental impacts and promote resource efficiency. The ACAA developed an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy that was documented in its first ESG Report released in 2023. The ESG Report captures the ACAA’s oversight of ESG issues, goals and major initiatives, such as develop net-zero new buildings by 2030, and achieve a 50% reduction in energy use intensity for existing buildings by 2030.

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The 2030 Challenge was created by Architecture 2030 to reduce and reach net zero carbon emissions in buildings. The ACAA was the first airport sponsor in North America to commit to the 2030 Challenge as a Pittsburgh District Affiliate, pledging to reduce building energy consumption, water use and transportation emissions. 

ACAA has entered both PIT and AGC into the Airport Carbon Accreditation Program, which serves as the only global, aviation-dedicated carbon management and reporting program. It independently assesses and recognizes the performance of airports working to manage and reduce their carbon emissions through increasing levels of certification.

ACAA CARBON POLICY STATEMENT

Inspired by innovation, we are continuously seeking ways to shape a more responsible future. Through PIT’s water bottle filling stations, we saved over 2 million water bottles from 2021-2024, with nearly 1 million of those in 2024 alone. Beverage disposal stations are also available near security checkpoints, allowing passengers to dump their unfinished drinks prior to the screening process to keep or recycle their bottle.

Microgrid

In July 2021, PIT became the first major airport in the world to be entirely powered by on-site natural gas and solar energy through a 23-watt microgrid, boosting resiliency and helping to shield the airport from power disruptions that have seriously affected other airports around the world. The microgrid is powered by five natural gas generators and nearly 10,000 solar panels across eight acres, and has garnered global industry attention, winning numerous awards as a model of resiliency and sustainability. PIT’s microgrid reduces carbon emissions and saves more than $1 million in utility costs each year.
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In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and FAA Order 5050.4B, Implementing Instructions for Airport Actions, the Allegheny County Airport Authority (ACAA) is publishing a notice of availability (NOA) of the FONSI and Final Supplemental EA for the PV Solar Array Microgrid Phase 2 Expansion Project.

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View the NOA
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View the FONSI
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View the Final Supplemental EA

Water Systems

PIT’s comprehensive deicing management program ensures the safe operation of aircraft during winter months, when deicing treatments are used to remove snow and ice from aircraft, airfield pavement and airport roadways. Through PIT’s deicing management program, aircraft are deiced on dedicated pads, where spent deicing fluid is recovered and sent to an onsite recycling facility. There, it is processed for reuse or made to be used in aircraft lavatories. An average of over 4 million gallons are collected for processing and recycling each year at PIT, totaling an impressive 33 million gallons since 2016.

The ACAA Environmental team also manages PIT’s drinking water program, monitoring, testing and enforcing standards to meet regulatory and health requirements to keep water clean.

Community Support

Members of the Airport Authority team participate in community service activities throughout the year, including:

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Cleanup and beautification projects to support the Montour Trail, a 60-plus mile recreational trail in Pittsburgh

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Partnerships with the Montour Run Watershed Association to improve the water quality of local streams

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Collaboration with the Three Rivers Pollution Response Council organization in Pittsburgh involving local agencies, industries, and emergency responders. The group ensures effective responses to environmental hazards and develop strategies for minimizing pollution risks to the region’s waterways
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Partnership with Adopt a Highway to assist with litter collection along I-376
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Hosting on-site blood drives with Vitalant
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Volunteer efforts supporting One Warm Coat
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Participation in the annual “Plant a Tree at Flight 93” volunteer event at the National Memorial site in Shanksville, PA

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Volunteer efforts supporting the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank

Honeybees

PIT’s wildlife population includes honeybees across numerous apiaries, thanks to a thriving apiary program on airport property. With large amounts of open land and little to no pesticide use, PIT is an excellent sanctuary for a declining honeybee population, which has been threatened by stresses including exposure to pesticides, parasites and poor nutrition. PIT is one of a few airports in the U.S. to host apiaries on property, which help prevent airfield swarms. The program has garnered numerous awards, including the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s 2020 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence.

Compliance

The ACAA is a responsible neighbor to our environment and the many passengers, partners and team members that visit PIT and AGC each day. The practices, regulations and policies we implement help our airport operations meet the environmental standards that reduce our impact on the natural world. Environmental compliance ensures PIT and AGC are good neighbors in our community, actively working to support the environment through air quality, water quality and management, waste management and permitting.