Officials at the Portland International Jetport are seeking public input for a sustainability plan that will guide growth at the airport for the next 20 years.

The process is being coordinated with an advisory committee made of up government officials, airport users and tenants, and local community representatives. The group convened its first open house Tuesday and intends to hold its next public forum in March, when it will discuss possible future initiatives.

The planning effort, expected to be concluded in a year, was initiated in tandem with the city of Portland to ensure adequate funds are budgeted and planned in accordance with the objectives of the sustainability plan.

The airport in 2013 received a $300,000 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration to incorporate operational efficiency, environmental sensitivity and community involvement in its future plans.

Portland was one of 20 airports nationally to receive the federal funding. Airports can use the grants to lessen their environmental impact by reducing noise and water usage, improving air quality and minimizing impacts to surrounding communities through actions such as reducing ground-based vehicle emissions.

According to the FAA, some of the sustainability initiatives could include enabling aircraft to use electricity from the power grid and preconditioned air provided at airport gates instead of running aircraft engines during wait times, and promoting land uses that attract businesses and industries that benefit from being near an airport, thereby minimizing travel and reducing exhaust emissions.

Passenger volumes at the airport are expected to grow at a rate of 1 percent to 2 percent annually, said jetport director Paul Bradbury.

 

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