Car charging stations, ramp equipment among electric additions eyed at Arnold Palmer airport

The Westmoreland County Airport Authority wants to reduce the carbon footprint at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport by replacing some diesel-powered aircraft ramp equipment with electric-powered models.

The authority also wants to install charging stations for those who drive electric cars to the airport, at routes 981 and 30 in Unity.

Airport officials hope to tap into a state effort to promote development of electric charging stations while honoring requests from some passengers to plug in their vehicles at the airport.

“It’s an initiative across the state,” said Gabe Monzo, executive director of the airport authority. “There are 124 public-use airports in Pennsylvania. If we can get electric chargers in half, or even a quarter, of them, then people can feel confident they can go across the state in an electric car.”

The authority is anticipating a grant from the state Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Aviation, part of which could help pay for the new electric ramp equipment. It’s also hoping to take advantage of the Driving PA Forward Funding Program, which offers rebates toward the costs of charging stations as well as the purchase of electrical equipment meant to replace gas- or diesel-powered units.

According to Monzo, the authority is proposing to install in the Arnold Palmer passenger parking areas six vehicle-charging plugs, including four that would provide rapid charging.

It also is looking to replace five pieces of ramp equipment with electric-powered versions, including baggage tugs, belt loaders and a push-back tug used to move the large Airbus planes of Spirit Airlines, the sole commercial carrier at the Unity airport.

The airport already is using two pieces of electric equipment, including a baggage tug, valued at about $25,000, and a lavatory truck, priced at about $45,000. Monzo noted state funding covered 75% of the cost for those vehicles, but the authority is hoping any additional units would be fully funded by the state.

“This is the type of infrastructure that will serve us well into the future,” he said.

Bus terminal lease, water line work OK’d

At its Tuesday meeting, the authority ratified a five-year lease agreement with DMJ Transportation, for a school bus terminal next to the public safety building at the Arnold Palmer airport. DMJ will pay monthly rent of $2,500 to park buses used to transport Greater Latrobe School District students plus $400 for office space at the building. Lease terms would be subject to further negotiation if DMJ opts for a second five-year term.

Township supervisors on Thursday are expected to act on conditional-use zoning approval needed for the bus terminal.

The authority also approved a new 10-year fixed base operator agreement with Vee Neal Aviation, which is located at the Palmer airport, with an additional five-year option.

For Rostraver Airport, the authority awarded a $124,451 contract to low-bidder KGD Contracting of Irwin, for extension of a water line to serve future hangars in the corporate hangar area.

The authority also agreed to purchase equipment for snow removal at Rostraver, including a brush and carrier vehicle, from A&H Equipment. A Federal Aviation Administration grant will cover the $399,240 cost, determined through a state bidding program.