Greener Aviation Alliance Debuts at Florida Climate Summit

During the closing ceremonies of the 2008 Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate Change, the governor announced that Florida will take part in the newly formed alliance of federal, state, regional and local governments and private sector groups that aims to improve air travel to achieve environmental and economic benefits.

The Alliance for Sustainable Air Transportation, ASAT, was formed to accelerate the transition to the federal government's Next Generation Air Transportation System.

"I'm proud that the state of Florida, which has contributed so much to aerospace and aviation over the years, continues to be a leader in innovation, and serves as the launching pad for ASAT," said Governor Crist. "It is fitting that we are unveiling this partnership at our global climate change summit."

Florida Governor Charlie Crist celebrates joining the Alliance for Sustainable Air Transportation. June 26, 2008. (Photo by Michael Francis McElroy / AP used with permission)

"The adoption of 'green aviation' will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and benefit people around the world while also stimulating investment in our economy and in the development of another green industry here in our state," the governor said.

Governor Crist was joined for the launch by Assistant Federal Aviation Administration chief Lynn Tierney and ASAT co-founder Traver Gruen-Kennedy.

"Air transportation is a key ingredient in global business activity. If we want to drive economic development through aviation in the United States and around the world, our success must come through taking care of the health of our planet, and we must act quickly," said Gruen-Kennedy.

"With 80 percent of U.S. air traffic concentrated at only 35 airports, and with 740 million gallons of jet fuel wasted in 2007 due to flight delays, our need is now," Gruen-Kennedy said.

ASAT's work "will assist the implementation of NextGen operating efficiencies and environmental benefits for the good of travelers, employees, partners, shareholders and our communities at large," he said.

NextGen is the Federal Aviation Administration's plan to modernize the National Airspace System through 2025. A key element of NextGen is environmental protection that contributes to sustained aviation growth, by focusing on issues of noise, air and water quality, global climate, and energy.

NextGen will use new technologies such as satellite-based navigation, surveillance, and networking, more efficient aircraft and under-utilized airspace, to help meet future aviation demands and avoid gridlock in the sky and at airports, Tierney explained.

ASAT's strategy is to support the implementation of NextGen regionally, locally, and in stages, through prototypes that favor the greatest benefits in the shortest time.

Earlier in the day, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger addressed more than 700 summit participants on the leadership roles both California and Florida have played in addressing global climate change.

"California and Florida are bi-coastal leaders in fighting global warming, which is why this Summit is so important," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "As two of the largest states in the nation, it is critical that we join forces to cut greenhouse gas emissions and increase renewable energy. Our nation needs to follow California's road map to a new energy policy - one that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, emphasizes greater innovation in new technologies and gives consumers fuel choices."

Governor Crist presented his California counterpart with the inaugural Serve to Preserve Leadership Award, in recognition of his efforts to address global climate change by establishing the world's first Low Carbon Fuel Standard for transportation fuels in California and for signing landmark bipartisan legislation to reduce California's greenhouse gas emissions.

Opening the summit on Wednesday, two big power companies announced climate-friendly initiatives.

Gulf Power Company, a Southern Company subsidiary operating in northwest Florida, launched its EarthCents Initiative. This program includes geothermal heating and cooling and EnergySelect, a customer-controlled energy management program with interactive thermostats and smart meters to reduce power use during high demand times.

EarthCents provides incentives to customers to install solar thermal water heaters, including a financing program through SunTrust Bank as well as state and company rebates. Participating customers are eligible for a federal income tax credit of $1,200 and they can save an average of $240 per year on energy costs.

Florida Power & Light annouced three solar energy projects for central and South Florida.

The utility will install a 25 megawatt solar photovoltaic facility in DeSoto County, one of the world's largest; and a 10 megawatt solar photovoltaic installation in conjunction with NASA, near the Kennedy Space Station at Cape Canaveral.

FPL also is installing a 75 megawatt solar thermal facility at the existing Martin Power Station near Indiantown, the largest single solar thermal facility outside of California and the world's first solar project connected to a natural gas-fired plant.

Together, the three projects will prevent the release of nearly 3.5 million tons of greenhouses gases over the life of the projects, which is the equivalent of removing 25,000 cars from the road.

As part of the summit, the governor joined representatives of Germany, the United Kingdom, Israel, Spain, France and Japan to discuss actions taken around the world as well as opportunities to form global partnerships to protect natural resources and stimulate the worldwide economy through green technologies.

Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2008. All rights reserved.