Latest news with #Airports
GMA Network
20-05-2025
- Health
- GMA Network
DPWH to use PET bottle waste in road projects; Greenpeace says it's not safe
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has approved the use of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottle waste in future road projects, but an advocacy group warned that it might only cause harm to the environment. DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan signed a department order formalizing the use of bituminous concrete surface course with PET plastic bottle waste. This initiative builds on the agency's 2024 rollout of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic bag waste in road construction. 'Turning waste into valuable resources for building better and more roads is the future of public infrastructure development in the country. The public can expect more of these policies as we vow to continue to fund these construction innovations,' Bonoan said. The updated specification is now included in the DPWH's Standard Specification for Highways, Bridges, and Airports, Volume II, and integrated into its Project and Contract Management Application for nationwide use. 'Potentially harmful' But the announcement has drawn criticism from Greenpeace Philippines, which warned about the environmental and health risks posed by plastic waste. 'We shouldn't depend on false solutions,' said Marian Ledesma, Zero Waste Campaigner at Greenpeace Philippines. She said the use of plastic waste in building and maintaining roads 'only creates more problems for the environment and public health.' 'When you take into account the wear and tear that our roads undergo, as well as exposure to the sun and other elements, plastic waste in building roads can be potentially harmful. Plastics contain a cocktail of harmful chemicals, some known as forever chemicals, which can potentially be released and expose communities to health risks. This may also result in the release of more microplastics in the environment,'' Ledesma said. 'The chemicals in plastic are not only linked to cancer, heart disease, other health conditions, and deaths, but they can also bioaccumulate in soil, plants, and animals—eventually reaching people through our food. In the same manner, emissions of microplastics can add to water and air pollution, which can also contaminate our food system.'' Greenpeace suggested reducing plastic production, banning single-use plastics, and implementing "genuine reuse systems" as solutions to the plastic pollution problem. — VBL, GMA Integrated News
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SLO County airport is adding a solar panel canopy to its parking lot. What to know
The San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport is going green this summer with the installation of a new solar panel carport canopy system over the airport's main passenger parking lot. Once complete, the 940-kilowatt solar system will generate enough electricity to power the entire airport year-round, the airport said in a news release. The canopies will also shade parked passenger vehicles, keeping cars cool while charging the solar panels overhead. 'Producing our own energy allows us to lock in a predictable energy cost for the next two decades,' SLO County Director of Airports Courtney Johnson said in the release. 'In an environment where electricity prices are difficult to forecast and often fluctuating, this project allows us to have greater confidence in our financial planning and frees up resources to improve the passenger experience.' Construction will begin June 2 and is expected to conclude in the fall, the release said. The canopy will be built in two phases to reduce parking disruptions, with a newly-resurfaced temporary parking lot providing extra parking during construction. The installation of the solar carport canopies is not the only effort the airport is making to become more sustainable. At the same time, the airport will install electric vehicle charging infrastructure and make other improvements to increase energy efficiency, lower operational costs and move toward a decarbonization, the release said. 'In addition to being good for the environment, this project is a strategic move to manage long-term costs,' Johnson said. 'By generating our own clean, renewable energy, we are creating a more resilient airport that's positioned for the future.'
Travel Weekly
06-05-2025
- Travel Weekly
What flyers (and clients) need to know as Real ID enforcement begins
TSA is encouraging flyers who don't have a Real ID or an acceptable alternative to arrive to airports early on Wednesday. But with Real ID enforcement set to take effect, the agency has stopped short of advising travelers who do have compliant ID to take precautions. "TSA encourages those without a state-issued Real ID or an acceptable form of ID, such as passport, to give themselves plenty of time at the airport," an agency spokesperson wrote in an email. The spokesperson did not address a Travel Weekly question about whether flyers with compliant IDs should build in extra time on Wednesday. "Passengers who present a state-issued identification that is not Real ID compliant at TSA checkpoints and who do not have another acceptable alternative form of ID will be notified of their noncompliance, may be directed to a separate area and may receive additional screening," the spokesperson added. Some airports, however, are asking all flyers to arrive early as Real ID enforcement takes effect. "Allow extra time at the airport while travelers adjust to the new security protocols," Atlanta Airport, the world's busiest, said in a press release Tuesday. The airport also said it will have additional customer service staff on site at key entry points to assist travelers who are unsure about the new ID requirements. Ontario Airport, just east of Los Angeles, also encouraged flyers to leave extra time. "As the Real ID deadline arrives, we want to ensure that our passengers are fully prepared and experience no disruptions in their travel plans," CEO Atif Elkadi said in a prepared remark. "ONT remains committed to providing a smooth, stress-free travel experience, and we encourage all travelers to double-check their identification, arrive early and plan ahead. This is an important milestone in aviation security, and we're here to help our community navigate the transition." The Real ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, establishes minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and ID cards. Only IDs that meet these standards, marked by a star in the upper portion of the card, will be accepted to board commercial aircraft and enter certain federal facilities.
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Time of India
Flying drones, UAV around Jewar airport punishable offence: Police
Gautam Budh Nagar Police have prohibited the operation of drones and unmanned aerial vehicles near Noida International Airport in Jewar, citing security concerns and airspace monitoring. Declared a Red Zone on October 8, 2024, by aviation authorities, unauthorized drone flights will face legal consequences under the Airports Authority of India Act, 1934, and UAV operation rules. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Gautam Budh Nagar Police on Saturday issued an advisory stating that flying drones and unmanned aerial vehicles around the Noida International Airport in Jewar was a punishable offence. The ban was implemented keeping in mind the airport's security and monitoring of the airspace, it Kumar Mishra, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Jewar Airport , said, "There is a complete ban on flying drones or any type of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ( UAV ) above and in the vicinity of Noida International Airport. This ban has been implemented keeping in mind the security of the airport and monitoring of the airspace."As per instructions of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and security agencies, the Noida International Airport was declared a Red Zone (no drone fly zone) on October 8, 2024, he said."Flying a drone without permission in this area is a punishable offence under the Airports Authority of India Act, 1934 and the rules for UAV operation," Mishra said."Legal action will be taken against any person, institution or group found violating this instruction. All citizens are requested to follow this rule and cooperate with the security system of the airport," he added.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Horry County solicitor says he has no knowledge of luxury items mentioned in procurement lawsuit
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — The Horry County solicitor on Friday addressed lawsuit allegations about misuse of government spending cards by county employees, including claims that they were used to buy golf clubs, TVs and other items that appeared to have been shipped to private residences. Two former Horry County procurement officials fired last June were in the midst of a 'broad, sweeping investigation' into the potential misuse of the purchasing cards by judicial branch employees, state and federal lawsuits allege. Lauren DeMasi, who worked as procurement specialist for the county, filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Florence on March 31, naming the county, Assistant Human Resoures Director Katie Badgett, employee Tara Chestnut-Smith, Director of Airports Judi Olmstead, Procurement Director Tammy Stevens, Administrator Barry Spivey and employee April Kelly. Jessica Williams, who worked as the deputy director of the procurement department, followed with a lawsuit in Horry County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday. It named the county, Chestnut-Smith and Kelly. Both complaints also accuse officials of violating the state's whistleblower act, wrongful termination and defamation, among other things. DeMasi's lawsuit says she made a troubling discovery last summer while reviewing an employee expense spreadsheet: Many purchases made by the county's magistrate and solicitor's offices had delivery addresses not tied to public property and were instead sent to private residences. '(DeMasi) realized during this process that it appeared that Horry County procurement funds were being impermissibly used to direct goods such as golf equipment, large-screen televisions and other luxury items to the homes of Horry County employees,' her lawsuit says. Solicitor Jimmy Richardson addressed that allegation in a lengthy email statement on Friday, in which he said it was an effort to be 'transparent.' Because 'the complaint could have been better drafted, I wanted to provide this individualized accounting.' 'I know nothing about items such as golf clubs or televisions; however, I was asked about 17 specific boxes that were sent to an employee's address in the 2023 and 2024 fiscal years,' Richardson said. 'All of these items were delivered to a home address because delivery was scheduled when the office was closed (weekends or after hours). Also, that office where delivery is usually made is not located in the courthouse and there is no secured mailroom.' Richardson explained what was in each of the 17 boxes — saying they all contained items used exclusively for work purposes. He said five of the boxes were textbooks for domestic violence defendants and treatment court clients. Another box, according to Richardson, contained textbooks called 'Responsible Decisions' and 'My Personal Journey.' 'Boxes seven and eight were full of graduation tassels and robes and were used for treatment court graduations,' he said. 'Box nine was full of diplomas for treatment court graduates.' The eight other boxes had items like crowd control barriers, magnets and decorations with inspirational quotes for treatment court, urine testing strips for drug tests, office furniture, urine collection cups, air purifiers and two Ring doorbells, Richardson said. 'None of these items are luxury items,' he said. 'All of these items are work items. All of these items are currently at treatment court and were brought to treatment court within 48 hours of delivery. All receipts have been kept and provided to the county auditors and public safety director and the procurement director.' Richardson said he will not comment further about the allegations. * * * Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
