Pittsburgh International Airport’s new terminal and Customer Service Building have earned LEED Gold certification from the US Green Building Council, while the airport’s new terminal garage has separately received Parksmart Gold certification.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a widely used green building rating system. The certification reflects the use of energy- and water-efficient systems, smart building controls, and sustainable design features intended to reduce operating and maintenance costs, alongside responsibly sourced materials, enhanced indoor air quality and sustainable waste management.
Chad Willis, vice president of planning, environmental and sustainability at the Allegheny County Airport Authority, said, “PIT pursued Gold certification for all three projects because the facilities were already being designed as modern, energy-efficient buildings with many of the features required for certification. Since those sustainable design elements were part of the base design, it made sense to pursue LEED and Parksmart Gold and formally recognize the project’s performance.”
Parksmart certification, administered by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), evaluates parking facilities on strategies to reduce environmental impact and improve efficiency. The terminal garage’s certification cited its design features, energy-efficient lighting and electric vehicle charging infrastructure; travelers who pre-book parking online also receive discounted daily rates.
Rhiannon Jacobsen, managing director for US market transformation and development at USGBC, said, “Pittsburgh International Airport’s attainment of LEED and Parksmart certifications highlight its leadership in green building and creating healthier, more efficient spaces. Parksmart provides a robust framework that elevates the management and operations of parking structures, enhancing the LEED framework for high-performance buildings. Together, both certifications underscore the airport’s commitment to sustainable transportation infrastructure.”
The airport said its microgrid, operational since 2021, is the first in the world to fully power a major airport using natural gas and solar energy, and has contributed to making the site more resilient to disruption.
Last month, the airport also opened the first of four planned outdoor terraces as part of the new terminal project, funded by UPMC and the Richard King Mellon Foundation.
Willis said, “As we continue transforming the airport experience, sustainability and resiliency remain at the core of our decision making. This certification validates the hard work of our project teams, partners and stakeholders who helped make these facilities both innovative and environmentally responsible.”
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