Niagara Frontier
Transportation Authority

It is the policy of Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority to initiate programs and policies that protect the environment, the health and safety of its employees and customers in the communities in which it serves.

Daily decisions and actions at the NFTA are guided by the following environmental principles:

• Comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations
• Make operations safe for employees, customers and the environment
• Minimize waste, prevent pollution, and incorporate recycling in all practices and operations
• Strive to eliminate releases that impact the environment
• Employ sound environmental practices to address and redevelop environmentally impacted property
• Encourage open and candid communication with employees, customers, and the public, regarding the NFTA’s environmental program and any hazard that may arise from its operations
• Train employees to be aware of and responsive to environmental responsibilities

Completed “Green” Initiatives

• Using Biodiesel in Metro buses
• Engine upgrade in buses produce lower emissions
• Glycol Containment system installed at BNIA to reduce glycol emissions into the receiving waters.
• Chemical procurement System – Selected safer, more environmentally friendly products and produced less waste
• Recycling Initiatives – metal and grit Recycling
• Waste Oil buy-back
• Rail Station Skylight and DL&W West end Windows Along with the replacement of the Yard & Shops west end window wall. This project eliminated the loss of heated and cooled air from the west end window wall. Elevator Rehabilitation for MTC During the rehab of the elevator new energy efficient controllers were installed to save approximately 10 percent on electric usage.
• OCC Replacement Leibert HVAC units The new units are of a high efficiency design decreasing utility cost by 10 percent
• MTC Replacement Air Handling Units Replacement of Air Handling Units with variable speed control and high efficiency cooling coils saved approximately $198,500 on electricity. consumption.
• Rail Paint Booth Air Handling Units Replacement of air handling unit, heating coils, system controls and temperature control system for the paint booth.
• Station Lighting – 2004, 2005 and Continuing Rail Maintenance staff has changed the bulbs, ballasts and reflectors of the station lighting to a more efficient design. Savings of approximately 30 percent will be realized for these lights fixtures.
• Parking Garage boiler replacements (2) 1-mbtu gas fired boilers replaced with 98 percent efficient condensing type units.
• Underground Storage Tank-replacing storage tanks at the end of their useful life as opposed to trying to extend the use of the tanks. This is dome at Metro garages, Buffalo Niagara International Airport and the NFTA Boat harbor.

Current “Green” Initiatives Presently Underway

• Noresco Study (Buildings and Facilities)……….completed
• Alternative fuel purchases for non-revenue vehicles
• Procurement of Hybrid Buses …………..completed…….. as of 3-12-08 Metro has 43 in its fleet
• New NFIA Terminal Design in accordance w/Executive Order 111 “Green Building Design”
• Glycol Treatability/Feasibility Study using a passive wetland system at the BNIA (no emissions, low energy, improve water quality) instead of traditional treatment systems…………….Expect to start construction in the spring of 2008. When completed in 2009, the BNIA will be the first airport in the U.S. to have such a process
• Waste consolidation (One disposal company)
• Brownfields development projects (outer harbor, Greenbelt, Niagara Falls Transportation Center)
• Part 150 Noise Study at BNIA, a $60 million voluntary QuieterHome program that is underway to provide sound remediation measures in homes near the BNIA
• New NFTC has been designed and constructed in accordance with Executive Order 111
• New NFIA is being designed in accordance with Executive Order 111
• Parking Garage boiler replacement 3rd 1-mbtu gas fired boiler to be replaced 98 percent efficient condensing type unit, cost and operating savings not yet determined
• Green Airport Initiative - $30K project funded by EPA for BNIA to create an environmental report card on airport performance
• Environmental Management System – Authority Wide …..completed
• Market the use of the PDA, computer and cell-phone ability to download bus schedules…….completed via the NFTA’a Instant Update program

Future “Green” Initiatives

• Engine conversion for hydrogen fuel cells – Transport vehicles at BNIA
• Buy “Green” – Include a specification for recycled material components in purchased material for items such as stationery, Metro schedules, etc.
• Harvesting excess methane for heating systems
• Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (Reduces emissions for Sulfur dioxide and particulate matter)…………ongoing program
• Toilet water conversation at BNIA – Non-potable water versus treated water and using treated water to irrigate BNIA property
• Investigate printing bus schedules on recycled paper
• Encourage riders to extend the use of paper schedules
• Explore ‘print on demand’ technology to conserve paper.
• Study a more extensive use of e-mail for sending reports to reduce the amount of paper that is used