include upgrades to our baggage systems (for which DEN obtained $123.7 million in federal grants) and the purchase of replacement train cars for the train that moves passengers between the terminal and the concourses. Thirty-one train cars have been ordered to replace the aging fleet and the first new four-car train will be introduced this summer.
world.” The DEN team took the charge and established several programs of note.
DEN developed an environmental policy that commits the airport to working with its partners to promote strong environmental performance by protecting the environment, conserving energy and natural resources, preventing pollution, meeting or exceeding all compliance obligations and voluntary commitments, and continuous improvement. The plan helps the airport proactively anticipate and plan for potential environmental issues at our complex and dynamic site. DEN supports the City and County of Denver’s 2030 science-based target and 2040 net zero emissions goal, and it’s made a solid start – with a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions despite passenger traffic increases. The plan to reach “net zero” emissions focus on green building, energy efficiency, renewable energy and the decarbonization of the airport’s electric grid. “Speaking of green building, all DEN projects are built to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold standard. DEN currently has five LEED-certified facilities, including the world’s only LEED Platinum on- airport hotel,” Washington said. “All the Great Hall and Concourse Expansion projects are tracking at least LEED Gold, and DEN is tracking to achieve its first Envision Certification for a civil infrastructure project.”
Pillar Three: Maintaining What We Have
“Even though DEN is still a relatively young airport, it’s nearly 30 years old and is experiencing a great deal of wear and tear due to increasing passenger volumes,” said Washington. “Projects such as Concourse Renewal, which will upgrade our restrooms, wayfinding, hold rooms and flooring, will make a tremendous improvement.” Under the direction of a professional maintenance staff, DEN updated its Strategic Asset Management Plan and completed an inventory of its facilities and established a maintenance program that will systematically maintain facilities based on expected life cycles rather than maintenance based on facility break downs. These efforts permit DEN to direct assets to proactively. As part of its overall maintenance plan, DEN developed science-based goals related to sustainability and resiliency. When Phil Washington joined DEN he set a goal for the airport to become the “greenest airport in the
41 The Acumen
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