County airport secures federal grant to tackle water, soil contamination

– The San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) has received a $3.5 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to support demonstration testing of three PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) remediation technologies. The grant is part of the Biden-Harris administration’s $2 billion airport infrastructure funding.

The funding will be used for testing state-of-the-art PFAS treatment systems for both soil and water. PFAS contamination, often resulting from firefighting foams, poses long-term risks to water, soil, and public health, according to a press release from the airport. The project aims to mitigate these environmental and health risks, enhancing the airport’s sustainability and environmental stewardship.

“Our airports are critical hubs for our local economies, tourism, commerce, and recreation. I’m proud to see this critical investment delivered to SLO County Airport to help them exist in harmony with the surrounding community,” said Congressman Salud Carbajal. “As a member of the House Aviation Subcommittee, I have been working every week to help SLO County Airport mitigate and remediate risks posed by PFAS chemicals — and this grant is proof of that work.”

“We are deeply grateful to both Congressman Carbajal for his steadfast commitment to the residents of San Luis Obispo County, and to the FAA for awarding this critical grant,” said San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Dawn Ortiz-Legg. “This grant is a reflection of their dedication to ensuring the health and safety of our region.”

“We are grateful to the FAA for this investment in our ongoing PFAS remediation efforts,” Courtney Johnson, director of SLO County Airport, added, “This funding allows us to continue addressing these critical environmental challenges and protect our community.”

The grant is part of a broader FAA initiative to address the environmental impacts of PFAS at airports nationwide, ensuring airports lead the way in sustainability and safety.

For more information about the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport, visit www.sloairport.com.