LAWA RECEIVES LAX COASTAL AREA CHAMBER’S SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

(Los Angeles, California – June 28, 2010)  Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) received the LAX Coastal Area Chamber of Commerce’s Sustainability Award during the chamber’s recent installation dinner at the Westin Los Angeles International Airport Hotel. 

“Our mission has always been to balance the needs of the traveling public and the needs of the surrounding community,” said LAWA Executive Director Gina Marie Lindsey.  “This is an exciting honor for LAWA and the fact that it comes from our immediate neighbor gives us great satisfaction that our efforts are making a difference.” 

LAWA has a growing Sustainability Program that includes a comprehensive Sustainability Plan and Airport Sustainability Guidelines.  For building projects, LAWA utilizes the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (L EED) standards of the U.S. Green Building Council.  LEED standards are an internationally recognized green building certification system that incorporates strategies such as water efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to impacts.

LAWA’s sustainability achievements include improving the quality of air through its increased number of alternative-fuel vehicles, reducing traffic congestion in and around LAX, minimizing waste through its airport-wide recycling programs, and proactive measures to conserve water through the use of reclaimed water and efficient irrigation.

LAWA’s recently completed Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) renovation project achieved LEED Silver Certification.and all new terminal facilities are also being designed to achieve LEED certification.  The TBIT renovation project demonstrated LAWA’s excellence in promoting sustainable programs and was one of the reasons LAWA was selected for the award.  LAWA is just the second organization to receive this honor from the chamber.

             “The renovated Tom Bradley International Terminal was completed on-time and under budget, is the only LEED silver certified airport project for an existing building, and was renovated while the terminal was fully operational,” said Thomas Flintoft, chamber chairman.  “I applaud Gina Marie Lindsey, her executive staff and the Board of Airport Commissioners for putting our airport on a course to become a world class airport, and for putting in place operational policies that will make LAX a sustainable transportation asset to the community.”