T.F. Green Airport Improvement Program - FEIS Chapters - PVD

T.F. Green Airport Improvement ProgramEnvironmental Impact Statement and Final Section 4(f) EvaluationNatural ResourcesNon-energy related natural resources include consumable construction materials such as wood, asphalt, metals,and concrete, in addition to potable water. The construction of the various project elements proposed underAlternatives B2 and B4 would require only these common construction materials. These materials are availableregionally, and are not considered to be unusual or in short supply. The type of construction necessary for eachelement of the Improvement Program would not be exceptional in nature for the local or regional construction andmaterials markets. There will be an increase in potable water consumption in Alternatives B2 and B4, and the No-Action Alternative, primarily due to projected increases in passengers and filling potable water tanks on a largernumber of aircraft. This water consumption is not expected to adversely affect local or regional supplies.5.19.4.3 Sustainable Design and Future TechnologiesFAA Order 1050.1E notes that, “all elements of the transportation system should be designed with a view totheir aesthetic impact, conservation of resources such as energy, pollution prevention, harmonization with thecommunity environment, and sensitivity to the concerns of the traveling public.” The State of Rhode Island hasalso demonstrated a commitment to sustainability. With some exceptions, any new, substantially expanded, orrenovated building owned by the State of Rhode Island must meet the design, construction, operation, andmaintenance standards of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and EnvironmentalDesign (LEED) Silver certification. 466Significant Impacts: Alternatives B2 and B4 would not have a significant impact on natural resources or energysupply since neither program would result in construction, operation or maintenance activities that wouldcause demands that would exceed available natural resources or energy supplies. Adequate energy supplies areavailable to support the T.F. Green Airport Improvement Program.5.19.5 Short-Term Impacts from Temporary Construction ActivitiesAlternative B2 and B4 and not anticipated to have any short-term impacts associated with energy use or naturalresource consumption. There are sufficient building materials in Rhode Island to supply the materials needs forAlternatives B2 and B4 without exceeding available natural resources.5.19.6 Cumulative ImpactsThe incremental impact of the T.F. Green Airport Improvement Program on energy supplies in New England isnot anticipated to have an effect on the energy infrastructure of Rhode Island or New England. The anticipated2013/2014 generating capacity of the New England electrical grid is 289,456,680 megawatt-hours per year(MWh/Yr). 467 The increase in electrical demand from the Improvement Program as shown in Table 5-130, is17,860,800 kilowatt-hours per year (kWh/Yr) through Alternatives B2 and B4 in 2025. This represents0.0062 percent of the 2013/2014 annual generating capacity of the New England electrical grid, which is notlarge enough to adversely affect the New England electrical grid.Unlike electricity, natural gas, Jet A, aviation gasoline, gasoline and diesel fuel do not depend on regionalproduction, and are largely imported from other regions of the U.S. and other countries. Supplies of these forms466 Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: State Activities and Partnerships: Rhode Island. U.S. Department of Energy.apps1.eere.energy.gov/states/energy_summary.cfm/state=RI.467 ISO New England Installed Capacity Requirement Report for the 2011/2012 Capability Year. December 1, 2008.www.iso-ne.com/genrtion_resrcs/reports/nepool_oc_review/index.html.Chapter 5 - Environmental Consequences 5-280 July 2011\\mawatr\ev\09228.00\reports\FEIS_Final_July_2011\PVD_CH05_Environmental_Cons_JUL_2011.doc