Contact: Arif Ghouse, Airport Director
Arif.ghouse@snoco.org
425-388-5101
Dream Greener Program Launched in Japan and US
Paine Field Airport launches new programs on sustainability and improving water quality in Puget Sound.
EVERETT, Snohomish County, November 1, 2017—Snohomish County’s Paine Field airport today launched the Dream Greener Program with Chubu Centrair International Airport in Nagoya, Japan. Paine Field is excited to exchange ideas and technology with Centrair, since both airports are not only leaders in environmental sustainability but also the sites for Boeing 787 Dreamliner activities.
Paine Field’s Dream Greener program aims to improve both water quality in Puget Sound and the sustainability of airport operations. The program will improve water quality through education, monitoring, treatment, and facility improvements. Paine Field is eager to partner with Centrair, a leader in environmental stewardship in Japan.
“Our airport is a major economic engine for Snohomish County, generating significant jobs and revenue,” said Dave Somers, Snohomish County Executive. “By launching our Dream Greener Program as part of the county’s Puget Sound Initiative, we will be making our operations more environmentally sustainable and improving the water quality of Puget Sound. We can have it both ways: a dynamic Paine Field generating jobs for our region and a clean environment.”
“I am pleased to launch our joint Dream Greener Project with Snohomish County’s Paine Field Airport and further develop our strong partnership,” said Masanao Tomozoe, President & CEO, Central Japan International Airport Co., Ltd. (Centrair). “Since it was built, Centrair has set fundamental goals not only to reduce our environmental impacts but also maximize efforts to support recycling. I am honored that our advanced processes, including those managing water quality, have been recognized by Snohomish County, setting a model for environmental sustainability. Paine Field Airport and Centrair, both located near busy maritime waters, are working to collaborate in multiple fields and share best practices, particularly in airport operations and management.”
The Paine Field Dream Greener Program includes:
- Paine Field Airport teamed up with Washington State University’s Cooperate Extension to sponsor environmental education booths at General Aviation Day on May 20, 2017. There were over 180 visitors to the event.
- The airport checked over 300 cars during the July and August 2017 Don’t Drip and Drive Events with airport tenants Boeing and Aviation Technical Services.
- The 2018 Central Ramp General Aviation Hangars Roofing Project will improve the reduction of zinc runoff to the Lake Stickney watershed (see information on the zinc removal project here).
- The airport will increase sampling points to include all five stormwater drainage basins, providing additional data to ensure continued compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits.
- These expanded water quality programs will help the airport pursue Salmon Safe Certification.
In addition, the airport is the first county department to require USGBC LEED Silver status on all new building construction beginning in June of 2018. Other programs include alternative fuels for new airport vehicles and exploring solar to get airport hangars off the electrical grid.
“We will continue to find innovative ways to make airport operations as green and sustainable as possible,” said Arif Ghouse, Director of Paine Field Airport. “This is a great new way to improve how we do business for the people of Snohomish County and the Pacific Northwest.”