Pictured Above – Mark Hanna, Springfield Airport, Aaron Frame, Chicago Department of Aviation, and Corey Harper, Veregy.
Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport™ (SPI) has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Airports Going Green (AGG) Award, presented during the annual AGG Conference hosted by the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) in partnership with the Chicago Department of Aviation, O’Hare, and Midway International Airports. This award recognizes the airport’s outstanding commitment to sustainability, innovative practices, and leadership in green energy initiatives.
The Airports Going Green Awards™, introduced in 2010, celebrate leadership in sustainability. SPI was honored in the Outstanding Sustainability Infrastructure Development category, recognizing the airport’s sustainable design and construction project. The award highlights SPI’s innovative and leadership-driven approach to sustainability within the aviation industry, specifically for its Energy Savings Project, a significant achievement in reducing environmental impact.
Project Highlights:
- A 2.88 MW Solar Array project featuring ground and roof-mounted installations.
- A $6 million investment, supported by significant funding from the Illinois SREC program and third-party financing through Balance Solar.
- Expected 20-year savings of $6.7 million, with a 30-year projection of revenue and savings of $14.1 million.
- An impactful reduction in carbon footprint, equivalent to significant environmental savings annually.
This honor adds to the airport’s growing list of industry recognitions, cementing its role as a leader in sustainable aviation practices. In 2023, SPI received the IPAA First Ever Sustainability Award, marking the beginning of its efforts in environmental responsibility. That same year, the airport also won the AAAE GL Airfield Project of the Year Award for its exceptional contributions to airfield modernization.
Additionally, SPI was featured in Airport Improvement Magazine in 2023 for its solar project, recognized for best practices in solar implementation and economics. More recently, SPI was named 2024 Sustainability Project of the Year by Airport Business Magazine for its ongoing initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint and promote renewable energy.
The airport’s solar project, constructed by Veregy, played a key role in SPI’s sustainability achievements. This project significantly reduced the airport’s reliance on non-renewable energy sources, serving as a model for airports globally. The collaboration between Mark Hanna at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport™ and the Veregy team was crucial in realizing this vision, showcasing best practices in solar energy deployment and economic efficiency.
“We are incredibly honored to receive the 2024 Airports Going Green Award,” said Mark Hanna, SPI Executive Director. “This award is a testament to our continuous effort to lead the way in sustainability and environmental stewardship in the aviation industry. Our team and partners like Veregy have worked diligently to implement innovative solutions that align with our long-term sustainability goals.”
The 2024 Airports Going Green Award underscores Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport’s™ dedication to reducing environmental impact, enhancing energy efficiency, and setting new standards for sustainability within the aviation sector.
For more information about Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport’s™ sustainability initiatives, please visit www.flyspi.com.
