Air Quality and Alternative Fuels

Engine emissions from gasoline- or diesel-powered vehicles such as automobiles, trucks or aircraft service equipment, are some of the contributors of air pollution in the San Francisco Bay Area. OAK is actively working to reduce these emissions through its alternative fuels program, focusing on vehicles using compressed natural gas (CNG) electric power, and solar-power program; aircraft ground power and pre-conditioned air program; an employee trip-reduction program; and a multi-modal public transportation program with the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART).

CNG Vehicles at the Airport

Compressed Natural Gas

OAK began incorporating alternative fuel vehicles into its fleet in 1999 because it recognized that it would contribute locally to cleaner air in the surrounding communities, while displacing the global demand for foreign oil. OAK directed its energies towards vehicles using compressed natural gas (CNG), which are up to 95% cleaner than gas- or diesel-powered vehicles. Currently, OAK has 40 natural gas vehicles in its fleet, including 11 buses that transport workers from the employee parking lot to the terminals.

In 2002, OAK and its partner, Clean Energy (formerly Pickens), opened a public access, self-service CNG station at the airport's historic North Field. The CNG station is open 24 hours a day and provides fuel to Port-owned vehicles; private ground transportation operators such as taxis, shuttle vans and limos making frequent trips to OAK; other public agencies; and the general public. The fuel station has four dispensers. As of June 2007, approximately 600,000 gallons of gas-equivalent fuel has been pumped per year, compared to  approximately 100,000 in 2002. With the growing popularity of this station, Clean Energy opened a second CNG station located at on off-airport site on San Leandro Avenue n the spring of 2006. A additional station on Port property in the Jack London Square area was opened in the July 2007.

The Port's Board of Port Commissioners has passed two ordinances requiring taxis and ground transportation providers, such as door-to-door and hotel shuttles, that have two or more permits to have 50 percent of their fleet be powered by alternative fuel. And, through the use of incentives and grants, OAK's Alternative Fuel Vehicle Program has been greatly expanded. To date, approximately 70 percent of taxis serving OAK are alternative fuel vehicles. Other ground transportation providers have converted 50 percent of their fleets to alternative fuel vehicles. The Port has secured two more grants to help offset the cost of purchasing 4 additional off-airport parking shuttles and is the process of replacing the five (5)  five diesel AirBART shuttle buses with CNG buses.

Even the air cargo companies at OAK are getting into the "environmental" act. DHL/Airborne Express own and operate four CNG delivery vans at OAK.

In 2004, the program was recognized with the Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition's National Achievement Award for the CNG program, and was a finalist for the Department of Energy's National Partner Award for advancing alternative fuels.

Rechargeable Batteries

As the number and types of alternative fuel vehicles increase in popularity in the San Francisco Bay Area, OAK has a free battery charging program for travelers using the on-airport parking lots. OAK's electric vehicle charging stations are located in the ValuePark and Hourly lots, and in the Valet lot. The four charging stations have both conductive and inductive hook-ups. 

Ground Service Equipment Alternative Fuel Program

Ground Service Equipment (GSE) refers to the vehicles that provide service to aircraft while at the gate.  These include baggage loaders, forklifts, food service vehicles, tugs and baggage carts.  Most of the current GSE run on gasoline or diesel fuel.  OAK is committed to working toward converting the entire GSE fleet to alternative fuel to mitigate the potential increase in air emissions by 2010.  

Solar Energy

FedEx, OAK's largest cargo tenant, has implemented a Solar-Power Energy Program at its Oakland hub. In 2005, FedEx installed a 904-kilowatt photovoltaic system atop the roof of its 81,000 square-foot facility that is expected to fuel 80 percent of the facility's energy needs. At peak output, the system can produce the equivalent of power used by more than 900 homes during the daytime. In addition to generating electricity, the solar panels will help insulate the buildings, further reducing heating and cooling costs. 

Over the project's expected 30-year lifespan, the system's clean solar electricity will replace most of the fossil fuel-generated electricity that would have been purchased on the open market for the facility. Additionally, by avoiding the purchase of fossil-fuel generated electricity and implementing energy efficiency measures, this project will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 10,800 tons over 30 years, equivalent to planting 3,000 acres of trees or removing almost 2,100 cars from California roadways. For more information on this Solar Energy Program, click here (Note: add Fact Sheet attachment). 

Ground Power and Pre-Conditioned Air Loading Bridges for Aircraft

OAK has installed ground power at all 29 terminal gates. Pre-conditioned air units have been installed at all13 gates in Terminal 2 and three (3) of the newly renovated gates in Terminal 1, The remaining gates in Terminal 1 will receive pre-conditioned air units as they are renovated. By providing these services at the gate, the aircraft will no longer have to use their own auxiliary power units (APUs) to generate electricity while it's parked at the gate. Because an APU is typically powered by the aircraft's jet fuel, the installation of the new ground power and pre-conditioned air units helps to reduce air emissions associated with the use of APUs.

Trip Reduction Program

The Port coordinates and provides commuter information such as shuttle schedules and timing, frequency, and stopping points of public transportation providers to serve the transportation needs of Airport employees and the various tenants. 

BART-OAK Intermodal Connector (BART Connector)

The BART Connector is dependent on funding, development of agreements with stakeholders/partners, and selection of a developer/concessionaire.  The U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is the federal lead agency for the BART Connector.  The project is evaluated in the Final EIR/EIS that was certified and adopted by BART on March 28, 2002 and subsequently updated.  The Record of Decision was issued on July 16, 2002.  The current plan is to fund this project using a Public-Private financing approach.

OAK continues to support and promote the development of the BART- OAK Connector.  Environmental review of a revised connector alignment has been completed.  The BART Connector could be in operation by 2012, pending funding and selection of the concessionaire.

In the previous 12 months ending in April 2007, AIRBART carried approximately 1.3 million riders or roughly 9% of OAK airline passengers.  For the past several years, AirBART has experienced a 12.5% annual increase in ridership.  OAK employees receive a discount for riding AIRBART and approximately 3% of the ridership is attributed to employees.

Bicycle Access

In 2008, OAK completed its $300 million Terminal Improvement Program that included roadway and curbside improvements such as construction of new Class 1 bike paths and Class 2 bike lanes that now link airport terminals with the cities of Oakland, Alameda and San Leandro, and the San Francisco Bay Trail. New bike racks are conveniently located at both terminals. Download airport map. You can also map your route from home or work.