Pittsburgh's efforts to develop its real estate have run in tandem with efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of its operations.

PIT was one of the first airports to have an in-ground hydrant system for the refuelling of aircraft to pre-conditioned air on loading bridges to recycle concrete and asphalt as sub-base material for on-site construction projects to design balanced earthwork projects, and utilise local building materials to reduce over the road trucking operations.

The airport authority has also worked with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources and the Army Corp of Engineers to develop a series of replacement wetland projects remote from the airport that both preserve western Pennsylvania's diverse landscape while also ensuring safe operating conditions at the airport.

Building on the success of these projects, these organisations are developing an advanced wetland and stream mitigation proposal.  This would provide the airport with the opportunity to develop wetlands and perform stream mitigation projects in advance of any impact and, in so doing, offset any unavoidable impacts that future development might create.

Working with the Montour Run Watershed Association, PIT has pursued the restoration of two abandoned mine drainage treatment projects on airport land, with the airport as the headwaters of the watershed, these two projects have improved water quality downstream by removing iron and manganese and adjusting the acidity and alkalinity.     

The airport is currently conducting an energy audit in partnership with energy provider NORESCO to identify energy savings measures that will provide up to $2 million in annual energy savings for the airport authority over the next 10 years.

Pittsburgh International Airport is currently constructing a $48 million de-icing storm water treatment facility that is capable of treating 10 million gallons of water per day before it is released into the airport area watershed.

With a well-balanced portfolio of real estate elements, a good geographical location and an established FTZ, Pittsburgh's airport city programme looks set to continue to grow in the future.