Sustainability

New construction projects will incorporate the most current version of USGBC LEED® process for design and construction.

• LEED®-NC, EB, CI, CS or pilot-types will be utilized as determined by project scope.
• Additionally, MAC is interested in pursuing programs focused in particular disciplines are appropriate, including but not limited to Envision, MEP 2040, etc., these opportunities should be considered with the Airport Development Project Manager and the Sustainable Design and Certification Manager.

Goals: 

The MAC is committed to a sustainable future and has set goals and created organizational structures that reflect its commitment to sustainability. In February 2020, staff recommended and the commission unanimously adopted four sustainability goals to achieve by 2030:

• Emissions: Reduce MSP total emissions 80% from a 2014/2015 baseline.
• Water: Reduce MSP water use per passenger by 15% from a 2015 baseline.
• Waste: Reduce, reuse, recycle or compost 75% of MSP solid waste.
• Engagement: Achieve a MAC Employee Sustainability Score of 85.

As sustainability is a holistic process, it is expected that the sustainable goals (including processes and products specified) are integral with the design process, rather than additive, and may have short-term costs/tasks with long-term savings/advantages. Where possible, complementary sustainable strategies and systems will be utilized to achieve the highest benefits. 

Longer term MAC is pursuing the airport industry goal to be net zero by 2050.

Process:

• Airport Development, joined by MAC project stakeholders, will outline sustainable opportunities and direction affecting scope, schedule and budget as early as possible in the design process but no later than the 45% set.
  • New construction projects will pursue LEED® Gold unless approved otherwise. 
  • Director of Airport Development Project Delivery and VP of Airport Development will approve final plans for sustainability and budgets associated.
  • The MAC Sustainability Department should be included in discussions on major remodels and new construction. The MAC Sustainability Department should have access to required sustainability documentation for all projects
• Estimates provided by the construction coordinator shall be prepared identifying cost savings, energy cost and escalation, maintenance and operation costs, future replacement, and other cost impacts, as part of the pre-design scoping and project justification effort.
  • The estimates will include comparative equipment replacement and life-cycle costs, as well as the costs and benefits of complementary solutions.
  • Items involved in continual system upgrades/replacement will also be analyzed in this manner.
• The 45% set will also present a sustainability statement that will outline:
  • Sustainability strategies being utilized
  • Return-on-investment
  • Long-term operating costs
  • Value the opportunities will provide to the owner and end-user.
• The airport development project manager is responsible for ensuring that these strategies persist through the design and construction process.
  • Deviations must be approved through the Director of Airport Development Project Delivery and VP of Airport Delivery.
• Projects not pursing LEED® Gold are expected to contribute to climate resiliency

• The tenant design criteria standards outline the Concessions Planning and Implementation Team (CPIT) process, where sustainable opportunities will be added to the discussion and design approval process. The project manager in charge of representing MAC for the tenant will facilitate this process.

Technical Criteria: Technical Requirements for each discipline can be found incorporated into each of those sections. They identify things like water usage for fixtures, light density, metering requirements, etc.

MAC is approaching off set credits on a campus wide power purchase approach. Further details can be found in MAC’s annual sustainability report or through the Sustainability Manager.  

Documentation and Outcomes:

• Follow the LEED® documentation processes
• The Commission may ask to review the projects applying for certification and provide feedback. Design teams required to prepare documentation for those presentations.  
• The CIP proposal should include costs to provide equipment to monitor energy use, savings, and generation, and tools to analyze and track regional material acquisition and use, services, water use/savings, waste/recycling management, indoor environmental quality, and other measurable resources.
• MAC consultants are required to track and report as required by LEED® any energy usage numbers in coordination with the contractor.
• Design teams are asked to forcast the following key performance indicators (KPI’s) and provide to the MAC with record documents:
  • Water reduction from baseline
  • Waste reduction (excluding construction waste) from baseline
  • Emissions reduction from baseline
  • Life cycle cost analysis
  • Quantity and wattage of LED light conversions
  • A summary of major system improvements and sustainability initiatives

Ongoing Efforts: MAC will continue to pursue technologies, processes, and business models focusing on efforts to build as little as possible, renovate and reuse where appropriate, and design systems and structures with flexibility and adaptability as its highest priority.