Airport officials vowed to make the skies a little friendlier for neighbors as members of the Peninsula Community Planning Board (PCPB) were introduced to the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority’s newly completed air quality management plan (AQMP). Airport planner Brett Caldwell shared details of the AQMP with PCPB officials during a Dec. 17 meeting. The plan was created in response to the state’s airport emissions goals, which force airports to implement specific environmental commitments by March 2010. “It’s an agreement between the Airport Authority and the California State Attorney General’s Office,” Caldwell said of the so-called memorandum of understanding. “The objective is to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions related to airport activity.” The AQMP provides 14 specific air- and land-based measures aimed to make the airport more green. Among these initiatives are forcing airlines to use single-engine taxiing and limiting taxiing time, and the use of an incentives program to convert shuttles to electric or alternative fuel. The plan encourages the airport to be more conscious about the environment. “We’re going to continue to track and monitor greenhouse gas emissions that are produced by airport-related activity and we’re going to look at funding opportunities,” Caldwell said. “[These are] funds that will pay for projects to reduce emissions and clean out the air.” Local planners also got a glimpse into future Airport Authority projects. Ted Anasis, the Airport Authority’s manager of airport planning, spoke about current projects set out in the airport’s master plan. Of the 10 projects recently evaluated by environmental impact reports, Anasis said four are either under construction or in the implementation phase. In addition to the current Taxiway C construction, Anasis said two other projects have been implemented — both of which will begin in 2010 and be completed in 2014. These projects are a new aircraft apron and aircraft parking area, along with an elevated roadway from Terminal 2. Anasis also said the project that will add 10 gates to Terminal 2 — the centerpiece of The Green Build terminal development program — is now in the design phase. This project would expand the number of gates in Terminal 2 to 51 and is expected to be finished in 2014. “This project will include hold rooms, jet bridges and will also include expanded concessions areas — particularly post security — as well as an expansion of security lanes from six lanes to 12-14 lanes,” Anasis said.