LaGuardia Airport Terminal B Achieves LEED Gold Certification for Operations and Maintenance

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and LaGuardia Gateway Partners (LGP), the private manager and developer of LaGuardia Terminal B, has announced that Terminal B at LaGuardia Airport has been awarded its second Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, this time for its operations and maintenance (O&M) practices. This prestigious achievement serves as an important step toward the Port Authority’s goal of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and it represents LGP’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship in aviation infrastructure.

LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is the most widely used rating system worldwide that recognizes excellence in sustainability and design construction, and it represents the standard to which the Port Authority’s airport redevelopment projects are being held. Buildings may earn one of four LEED rating levels: Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum. Terminal B’s attainment of LEED Gold v4.1 for O&M complements its 2021 achievement of LEED Gold v4 certification for design and construction.  LEED O&M evaluates the actual performance of a facility over a one-year period following substantial completion, with rigorous criteria covering energy and water usage, waste management, transportation options, human experience, and indoor air quality.

Key factors contributing to Terminal B’s LEED Gold certification for O&M include:

●      Energy Efficiency: Terminal B incorporates innovative design features that optimize natural elements for heating, cooling, and lighting, thereby reducing reliance on traditional energy sources. Utilization of natural light and a programmable lighting system, along with an HVAC system that utilizes outdoor air when available, significantly enhances energy efficiency.

●      Renewable Energy Integration: Rooftop solar hot water systems supplement the domestic hot water supply for restroom facilities, harnessing renewable energy and contributing to overall energy savings.

●      Waste Management: Terminal B has implemented strategies to increase organic waste diversion for composting and saw a year over year increase of 500 percent, demonstrating a commitment to reducing waste generation and promoting recycling initiatives.

●      Innovative Technology: The terminal’s baggage handling system (BHS) utilizes permanent magnetic motors, allowing for controlled movement of bags only when they are present in the system. The system’s capability to enter ‘sleep mode’ when not in use saves more than 35 percent of energy compared to standard technologies, further enhancing energy efficiency.

LaGuardia Gateway Partners kept sustainability top of mind in both the design of construction work and terminal operations systems. Following the demolition of the old parking garage, LGP was able to recycle 99 percent of debris into materials for new construction. To reduce summer cooling loads and greenhouse gas emissions, Terminal B’s roof was covered with a light-colored aluminum membrane that reflects solar heat more effectively than conventional materials. With a technology-based Building Management System, LGP is able to optimize the performance of heating and cooling by supplying the right amount of fresh air when and where it’s needed.

LEED Gold certification is an important milestone on the Port Authority’s Net-Zero Roadmap, a comprehensive plan comprised of more than 40 actions intended to achieve both its near-term emission reduction goals and its 2050 goal of net-zero carbon emissions. To achieve those ambitious goals, the agency works with its tenants and contractors. The roadmap to net-zero emissions formalizes the historic commitment the Port Authority made in 2021, the first U.S. transportation agency to issue such a pledge.

In addition to LaGuardia Terminal B’s two LEED Gold certifications, Newark Terminal A was certified LEED Gold in 2023 for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and JFK International Airport’s Terminal 4 was awarded LEED Platinum for Existing Buildings, Operations & Maintenance, in 2022.

“The LEED Gold certification at LaGuardia Terminal B and recently at Newark-Liberty Airport’s Terminal A exemplifies the Port Authority’s commitment to building for a sustainable future,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “Our focus on building world-class airports also recognizes the opportunity to reduce our carbon footprint with new LEED Gold facilities.”

“Achieving LEED Gold Certification at LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B is an important demonstration of the commitment the Port Authority shares with its private partners to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “Across our agency’s operations we are taking tangible steps toward reducing our carbon footprint, including the electrification of our vehicle fleets, development of solar power at our facilities, the use of clean construction strategies, and the operation of green buildings.”

“LaGuardia Terminal B achieving LEED Gold certification for operations & maintenance underscores our unwavering commitment to sustainability and represents a significant step forward in our mission to create a world-class airport experience for travelers while minimizing our environmental footprint,” said Jane Garvey, Global Chairman Meridiam and Chairman of the Board of Directors of LaGuardia Gateway Partners. “This accomplishment stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts of all involved, and we are proud to have played a leading role in shaping a sustainable gateway to New York City.”

“We are proud of this important achievement and are committed to continuing to drive positive environmental change at Terminal B,” said Stewart Steeves, Chief Operating Officer of Vantage Airport Group and member of the Board of Directors of LaGuardia Gateway Partners. “Congratulations to the entire Terminal B team on earning LEED Gold certification for operations & maintenance. We are thrilled to share this milestone with our partners, travelers and New Yorkers.”

“LaGuardia Gateway Partners prioritized sustainability throughout the redevelopment project by building Terminal B to be as energy-efficient as possible,” said Suzette Noble, Chief Executive Officer of LaGuardia Gateway Partners. “As the operators of Terminal B, we continue to look for ways to reduce our carbon footprint. I’m thrilled that we’ve been recognized again by the U.S. Green Buildings Council with LEED Gold certification for operations & maintenance. We’re grateful for our partners at the Port Authority, Vantage Airport Group, and Meridiam for their collaboration in making this possible.”

“LaGuardia Terminal B’s LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership,” said Peter Templeton, President and CEO, U.S. Green Buildings Council. “LEED was created to make the world a better place and revolutionize our buildings and communities by providing everyone with access to healthy, green and high-performing buildings. LaGuardia Terminal B is a prime example of how the innovative work of project teams can create local solutions that contribute to making a global difference.”