Skytrax honored Terminal B with both 5 Stars and the World’s Best New Airport Terminal; learn more now!
Energy Efficiency
The Baggage Handling System (BHS) typically represents a major portion of the energy consumption at airports. The BHS installed at the new Terminal B uses permanent magnetic motors which provide for the controlled movement of bags only when they are present on the system. With the capability to essentially go into “sleep mode” when not in use, the BHS saves at least 37% of energy when compared to the standard old technology motors that are in use at other airports.​​
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Rooftop solar hot water systems augment the domestic hot water supply for the bathrooms. The solar hot water system, combined with the water efficient fixtures specified by the design team, generated 78% in hot water energy savings.
​The interior lighting design is an energy saving feature of the new Terminal B. The new Terminal B utilizes LEDs in almost all applications and provides significant energy savings. Additionally, the orientation of the building along the east-west allows the building to harness natural light, and many fixtures controlled using daylighting dimmers. Occupancy sensors are also deployed to optimize energy use. ​
The new Terminal B features demand control ventilation design that utilizes outside air dampers & variable air volume systems to supply the right amount of fresh air to guests when and where needed. This approach also allows for "free cooling", when outside air is cool enough to be used directly in place of air conditioning.
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​There are two types of roof materials being used at the new Terminal B. The roof is covered with light color aluminum and PVC membrane. The light color materials reflect solar heat better than conventional roofing materials. The apron concrete pavement also reflects more solar heat than the conventional asphalt pavement. Collectively, the design reduces summer cooling loads and greenhouse gas emissions.
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​Electric, gas, and water meters are installed throughout the new Terminal B. The data is recorded by the Building Management System (BMS). The building operators can monitor the building performance by reading the data of various systems, for example the heating, cooling and ventilation system; lighting system; solar hot water system; and baggage handling system. It helps building operators understand how the building is performing and make needed adjustment or repair.
Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction
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A 400Hz ground power unit at each gate delivers standby power for aircraft operating systems, replacing traditional diesel-fueled unites. Additionally, electric-powered preconditioned air (PC Air) units will be installed to provide heated/cooled air as needed to maintain a comfortable cabin temperature while the aircraft is parked at the gates, replacing PC Air units that typically run on diesel fuel. The new design saves fuel, reduces the localized ozone, carbon monoxide, and particulate pollution & greenhouse gas emissions, and lowers the ambient noise level.​​
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At the Terminal B Parking Garage, operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, there are 167 preferred parking stalls for low emission/fuel efficient vehicles. In addition, the new garage has five electric charging stations with provisions for 5 more.​​
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Airlines use ground support equipment (GSE) to ferry luggage, tow aircrafts, and move cargo in support of their aircraft turnaround services. Conventional GSE burns gasoline or diesel fuel and generates exhaust emissions. The airlines will gradually transition to the exclusive use of electric bag tractors, belt loaders, and pushback tractors at the new Terminal B. A target has been established for the airlines to fully transition to electric by 2027. The electric GSE would generate no on-site emissions and help reduce localized ozone levels, particulate and carbon monoxide pollution, as well as greenhouse gas emissions.
Water Conservation
On average, approximately 40,000 passengers use Terminal B every day and approximately 5,000 staff members work over three shifts here. Terminal B uses EPA WaterSense labeled plumbing fixtures at the restrooms to achieve a 42% reduction in potable water use when compared to conventional baseline.
Construction Waste Management​
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Throughout the construction phases, the new Terminal B project team has diverted more than 90% of the construction waste from the landfill.
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Operations & Maintenance Waste​
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To coincide with the opening of Terminal B’s eastern concourse, LGP introduced the “B GREEN” initiative. The Terminal “B GREEN” initiative seeks to raise awareness and promote the implementation of sustainable practices and environmental stewardship while considering the social and economic impacts of such actions. The recycling of routine O&M waste generated from terminal operations is a key element of LGP’s “B GREEN” initiative. Discarded metals, glass, & plastic containers, corrugated cardboard boxes & paper products, and waste cooking oil/grease are targeted for landfill diversion.
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With the opening of the new Arrivals and Departures Hall in June 2020, concessions partners have phased out single-use plastic straws at their locations in the new Terminal B. This comes as part of LGP’s commitment to create a terminal that combines the best of what New York has to offer with sustainable design and operation. The elimination of single-use plastic straws aims to reduce the environmental impact of the +280M plastic straws used daily in the United States, including their contribution to climate change, ocean pollution, and the accumulation of microplastics in the food chain. Our commercial partners have procured naturally degradable or reusable straw alternatives.
Building Material Transparency​
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As we move to the next generation building design, we look for less harmful materials. We care more about what is inside and embodied in the materials and make more informed choices by including materials with declarations on their life cycle environmental impact or their constituting ingredients as much as possible.
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​Climate Change and Resiliency​​
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Consistent with the Port Authority’s carbon reduction goals, the new Terminal B incorporates a series of measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A few examples include the dual taxi lane design which provides for more efficient aircraft movements within the apron area, the installation of electric-powered Ground Power Units and Pre-Conditioned Air units at each gate in lieu of fossil-fuel fired units, and the planned Ground Support Equipment Electrification program to transition to the exclusive use of electric baggage tugs, belt loaders, and pushback tractors for aircraft turnaround services. Together these efforts will beneficially contribute to the Port Authority’s mission to achieve an eighty percent GHG emission reduction by year 2050 and mitigate climate change impacts. ​​​
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Flood Hazard Mitigation​
Terminal B is located on the waterfront of Flushing Bay and Bowery Bay. Critical assets including electrical substations, emergency generators, communications equipment, electrical closets and fire alarm closets are located on upper levels above or routed in underground concrete. The ground level only includes non-critical areas such as offices and baggage handling area which are dry flood-proofed. In response to a potential flood, a flood barrier system will be deployed in a phased response depending on the stage of the threat.
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