Latest news with #PhilWashington
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Denver airport reveals 'plan' to build nuclear reactor
America's largest airport by size is reportedly considering plans to build a nuclear reactor on its sprawling 33,500-acre property. Denver International Airport CEO Phil Washington, 67, made the shocking revelation during a recent Future of Aerotropolis event hosted by local business publication, Business Den. Washington, a former pick to lead Joe Biden 's FAA before he withdrew under heavy Republican criticism over the airport's safety record, told the panel discussion the he was seriously considering a 'small modular reactor' to meet growing energy demands. 'When we think about capacity and electricity and power, the development that's going on out there, we need to be thinking about this,' Washington said, according to Business Den. 'And so this is something that is imminent, that I plan to bring forward, for a study on how we can do this.' The project comes as the largest airport in the US by land area works to attract private development on its property. When asked whether those development efforts were in the early or later stages, Washington said they might be in the 'bottom of the first.' 'I think we have warmed up,' he said. 'We have finished our warmups. And we might be in the first inning, bottom of the first.' In 2023, Washington, who has served as DIA CEO since 2021, withdrew himself from being considered for former President Biden's pick to head the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He did so after facing criticism for his lack of aviation experience amid six high-profile near-miss collisions earlier this year. Critics against Washington's ascension to top aviation regulator also cited his potential legal entanglements. These include questions about his connection to a corruption investigation in Los Angeles while heading the county's MTA. Since then, Washington assumed the role of chief executive of Denver International, with Biden tapping him for the all-important role this past July. Washington's current post is his only involving aviation in a more than four-decade career. Interest in nuclear energy is growing across the country as states look for cleaner ways to power their communities. In New York, Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul recently directed the state's power authority to build a new zero-emission nuclear plant upstate. This would be the first in a generation. In Colorado, Democratic Governor Jared Polis signed a new law in April that labels nuclear as a 'clean energy resource.'
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
America's largest airport reveals 'plan' to build NUCLEAR REACTOR on its land
America's largest airport by size is reportedly considering plans to build a nuclear reactor on its sprawling 33,500-acre property. Denver International Airport CEO Phil Washington, 67, made the shocking revelation during a recent Future of Aerotropolis event hosted by local business publication, Business Den. Washington, a former pick to lead Joe Biden 's FAA before he withdrew under heavy Republican criticism over the airport's safety record, told the panel discussion the he was seriously considering a 'small modular reactor' to meet growing energy demands. 'When we think about capacity and electricity and power, the development that's going on out there, we need to be thinking about this,' Washington said, according to Business Den. 'And so this is something that is imminent, that I plan to bring forward, for a study on how we can do this.' The project comes as the largest airport in the US by land area works to attract private development on its property. When asked whether those development efforts were in the early or later stages, Washington said they might be in the 'bottom of the first.' 'I think we have warmed up,' he said. 'We have finished our warmups. And we might be in the first inning, bottom of the first.' In 2023, Washington, who has served as DIA CEO since 2021, withdrew himself from being considered for former President Biden's pick to head the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He did so after facing criticism for his lack of aviation experience amid six high-profile near-miss collisions earlier this year. Washington's nomination was announced by the White House the year prior. But the decision was quickly met with pushback from Republican lawmakers questioning the then 65-year-old's credentials. Critics against Washington's ascension to top aviation regulator also cited his potential legal entanglements. These include questions about his connection to a corruption investigation in Los Angeles while heading the county's MTA. Since then, Washington assumed the role of chief executive of Denver International, with Biden tapping him for the all-important role this past July. Washington's current post is his only involving aviation in a more than four-decade career. Interest in nuclear energy is growing across the country as states look for cleaner ways to power their communities. In New York, Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul recently directed the state's power authority to build a new zero-emission nuclear plant upstate. Washington, a former pick to lead Joe Biden 's FAA before he withdrew under heavy Republican criticism over the airport's safety record, told the panel discussion the he was seriously considering a 'small modular reactor' to meet growing energy demands This would be the first in a generation. In Colorado, Democratic Governor Jared Polis signed a new law in April that labels nuclear as a 'clean energy resource.' This means future plants could now qualify for state funding alongside wind and solar. And in Texas, Republican Governor Greg Abbott has gone even further creating a new state nuclear energy office and investing $350 million to expand nuclear power.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
DIA travelers happier with security screening since new checkpoint opened, airport says
DENVER (KDVR) — Customer satisfaction for security screening at Denver International Airport has improved since the opening of the airport's West Security Checkpoint in February 2024, the airport revealed Thursday. DIA said its score for 'ease going through security screening' improved by 13% to 4.2 out of 5, since the opening of the new checkpoint, while its 'waiting time: security screening' score rose 19% to a 4.18 out of 5. Measles exposure sites now include Denver, Glendale, Windsor grocery stores: List The data was collected from the DIA's Airport Service Quality quarterly service results. The survey measures passenger satisfaction across a number of airport experiences, DIA said. 'The ASQ data shows that DEN's Great Hall Project is already improving the overall experience of our airport. Once the East Checkpoint opens in August, we fully expect that passengers will find the process of going through security to be even easier,' DIA CEO Phil Washington said in a statement. The DIA's overall satisfaction score is 4.06 out of 5, as of March 2025, the airport said. The survey for overall satisfaction includes the experience of arriving at the airport, the check-in process, the security screening, border/passport control, the shopping and dining experience, cleanliness and comfort of gate areas, wayfinding, Wi-Fi, bathroom cleanliness and overall airport atmosphere. Littleton man missing since 2024 located in Colorado River nearly full year later Washington said he expects the satisfaction score to increase further once the airport is finished with the final phase of its Great Hall construction program, which involves a full build-out of the Jeppesen Terminal. 'By 2027, when Great Hall construction will be complete, the experience of going through security, meeting loved ones, and enjoying the Jeppeson Terminal's art, dining, and retail options will be transformative,' Washington said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
21-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Denver International Airport employees question CEO about $19,000 business class flights; "Creates a rift"
Denver International Airport CEO Phil Washington is again being pressed for answers about costly business class tickets that he approved for his executive staff -- one costing over $19,000 to attend an April conference in Madrid. The questions are now coming from his own employees. A photo from Denver International Airport in Colorado in December 2024 AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images At a quarterly "Town Hall" meeting Monday for Denver International Airport workers, one asked "about the media story that ran recently on travel." The anonymous employee asked about the "ethical decision to spend quite a bit on an international business class ticket." According to the meeting moderator, "The comment was, 'It creates a rift in the sentiment between front line and senior leadership.'" Earlier this month, a CBS News Investigation reported on the trip Washington took to the three day conference with eight members of his executive staff. The overall cost of the trip for the nine execs to attend the three day conference was about $165,000, or an average of about $18,000 for flights, conference costs, hotels and meals. Washington and all of his subordinates flew either business class or first class both to and from Madrid, with one ticket costing $19,194.21 and another coming in at just under $16,000. Two other roundtrip fares were about $12,000. And the other five ranged from $9,000 to $11,000. Responding to the employee question Monday, Washington said, "I think the conference was worthwhile. It was a great investment in our folks." He explained the high cost of tickets, saying "All of the travel requests should be done at the same time. In this case they were not. Some travel requests came in a little later." Washington explained to employees, "In this case some prices went up at the wrong time when we were reserving those tickets." Robert Laney, a travel consultant who specializes in seat upgrades for international flights, said the airport should simply have waited a bit longer to buy tickets as prices would have come down. "You would have hit a day where United would have come down to earth and you would have seen eight (thousand), nine (thousand) at some point in time," said Laney. He said he was in "shock, disbelief" that Denver International Airport paid so much for business class seats to Spain. Records and receipts obtained during the CBS News investigation showed most of the tickets for the airport execs were purchased several months in advance -- none were last minute purchases. The money used to buy the tickets on United were derived from Denver International Airport revenues from concessions, car rentals and other airport user fees. Washington told the airport employees "We are reviewing our (travel) policy. There are some revisions we could make to that policy." An airport spokesperson said there are no specific policy changes to share yet, as the airport is looking at their entire policy that allowed the pricey travel, from travel requests to booking to reimbursements. "But," said Washington, "I stand by the professional development opportunity as an investment in our people that will pay off in the long run."
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Denver International Airport wins national award for snow, ice removal operations
DENVER (KDVR) — If you ever look outside of a plane window before takeoff, you will likely have noticed how busy the tarmac can be. Vehicles headed in every direction, people with different vests holding various items and planes landing and taking off. All of those people hold the same job titles as other airport workers across the world, but working at Los Angeles International Airport is far different than working at Denver International Airport. MSU housing program sees students live with 55 or older 'home-sharers' One thing the employees at DIA have to deal with is the harsh snow and ice that develops in Colorado. When the ice and snow begin to interfere with flights, the crews must work quickly and efficiently to ensure a fast turnaround and safe takeoffs and landings. The crews at DIA were so good at dealing with the frigid, icy and snowy situations that the airport won the Balchen/Post Award for 2024. The award is given to the airport with the best snow and ice removal programs across the United States. DIA won the award in the category for large commercial airports, which is the fourth time in history that the airport has been named the recipient. 'We're extremely proud of our snow teams for upholding the highest standards during challenging winter conditions and keeping one of the busiest airports in North America operating safely,' Denver International Airport CEO Phil Washington said in a press release. 'As we continue to maintain our facility to the highest standards and prepare for 100 million passengers, our snow team maintains its reputation as one of the most efficient snow operations in the nation.' The Balchan/Post Award has been presented by the Northeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives at the International Aviation Snow Symposium and honors the work of airports in commercial flights, general aviation and military categories. The award is awarded for excellence in categories, including: In-depth preparedness Effectiveness of the snow and ice control program Timeliness and accuracy of communications during the program and post-storm activity DIA is the largest commercial airport by land mass in the United States, so the crews have a lot of ground to cover in a limited amount of time. The snow and ice program is responsible for handling six runways, 300 lane miles of roads, which is the distance from the airport to the Utah state border if the roads were placed in a straight line and 30 acres of parking lots, which hold about 40,000 parking spaces and cover the size of about 23 football fields. To deal with such a massive task, the airport deploys nearly 500 trained snow removal personnel, 209 pieces of airside snow removal equipment and 48 pieces of landslide snow removal equipment. 88 Drive-In Theatre opens for the season this Friday It took those teams an average of 17 minutes to fully clear a runway. In 2024, a total of 47.7 inches of snow had to be dealt with. During its 30 years of operation, the airfield has only had to close six times because of snowy weather conditions, according to DIA. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
