The Burns Group: Engineering and Construction

PHILADELPHIA, PA, February 2012 – City of Philadelphia, Division of Aviation and Burns Engineering, Inc. have been awarded an American Council of Engineering Companies of Pennsylvania 2012 Diamond Honor Award for their unique, innovative Emissions Reduction Program at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).

Through the design and installation of 232 electric ground service equipment charging ports, 24 pre-conditioned air units and significant associated electrical infrastructure improvements, Burns helped PHL and US Airways:

• Provide a cleaner, healthier environment for passengers, employees and surrounding communities
• Reduces airline operating costs due the reduced life-cycle maintenance costs associated with electric vehicles as compared to combustion engines
• Demonstrate, through the innovative application of existing electrical energy technology, that emissions reduction strategies can be effectively implemented at airports and in other large transportation applications

Burns’ creative and innovative engineering solutions:

• Helped PHL, located in an area designated by the US EPA as non-attainment for ozone pollutants, obtain Airport Emissions Reduction Credits (AERC’s), which are a critical part of the airport’s future renovation and expansion efforts.
• Provided prompt and critical information to support the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Voluntary Airport Low Emissions (VALE) grant application, which funded approximately 75% of the project.
• Successfully produced design and final construction documents within an aggressive schedule, which ensured that the airport could receive bids and secure funding in accordance with the FAA VALE grant application cycle deadline.
• Provided expert on-site resident engineering and construction management services to quickly resolve issues in the field and maintain the construction schedule.
• Coordinated extensively with two AHJ’s across multiple jurisdictions: Philadelphia County (City of Philadelphia) and Delaware County (Tinicum Township), and successfully accommodated different permitting and construction packaging requirements.

Burns’ innovative solutions helped PHL and US Airways achieve social and sustainable design benefits, including:

• Burns’ engineering design has helped PHL shift from fossil fuels to electric energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants by an average of 135 tons of per year.
• This project reinforces to the public and local communities that PHL, US Airways, The Burns Group and the engineering profession are committed to responsible environmental stewardship, and to continuously striving to make a healthier, cleaner, “greener” environment for the public.