PORTLAND, Maine — Portland International Jetport has been selected as a winner of an ACI-NA 2012 Environmental Achievement Award.

Each year ACI-NA awards up to four awards for the categories of Environmental Management, Mitigation, Outreach, Education and Community Involvement, and Innovative / Special Projects. The winners must demonstrate the environmental benefit of their project, innovative approach, effective implementation, applicability and cost effectiveness.

Portland International Jetport took advantage of a terminal expansion project to install a significant geothermal system to provide the airport’s energy needs. The system takes advantage of ground water to heat and cool the airport facilities instead of relying on conventional fossil fuels, which has resulted in a reduction of over 1,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions and over 1 ton of nitrous oxide emissions per year – the equivalent of taking over 180 cars off the road per year or a total of 7,200 vehicles over the lifespan of the project.

Award winners will be recognized at ACI-NA and ACI World’s Annual Conference in Calgary, on Sept. 12, during the Chairman’s Honors Luncheon.