Neighbors press Fort Lauderdale to enforce resolution on unleaded aviation fuel; airport director outlines technical and supply barriers

At the March 4 conference meeting, neighbors renewed calls for stronger action to stop leaded aviation fuel sales at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE) after a neighborhood soil study — and urged the city to enforce a 2024 resolution that called for incentives to promote unleaded aviation fuel.

Resident Michael Ray recited public-health guidance and cited outside research suggesting elevated blood-lead levels near airports. He told the commission the 2024 soil study results were "within regulatory limits" but warned that "there is no safe level of lead for children" and urged the city to enforce Resolution 24-218, which tasked the city manager to "implement a program that encourages and incentivizes the sale and use of unleaded aviation fuel" and to apply for grants. Ray said he found no local incentive program and urged direct action to stop leaded fuel sales at FXE.

Rufus James, FXE Airport Director, responded with technical and regulatory context: "The FAA and EPA agrees that it won't happen until 02/1930," he said when asked about an outright ban (quoting a date the agencies have targeted for complete phaseout). James explained multiple practical barriers: currently there are several different supplier formulations of unleaded aviation fuels that cannot be inter-mixed safely; fuel must be commercially approved for use and available at scale; installing a separate fuel truck and supply for a portion of demand is uneconomic unless there is customer demand; and delivering unleaded fuel to FXE often requires trucking it in, increasing cost. "So that's part of the delay as well... Unleaded fuel would be as much as $10 a gallon" versus roughly $6 per gallon for 100LL leaded fuel, James said during his remarks.

James also said airport staff reached out to state Department of Transportation and FAA regional staff and were told grant programs for fueling transitions are not available in the region "right now." He described outreach to fixed-base operators and tenants, saying operators are prepared to provide unleaded fuel if tenants (pilots/operators) demand it and that the airport had surveyed tenants about adoption. He emphasized health concerns and said the airport will continue to encourage tenants to consider transition plans and to share information with the commission when available.

Commissioners and the public asked about testing blood levels for children (a private lab test was suggested by a commenter), the city's ability to apply for EPA or FAA grants, and whether the city can require tenants to stock unleaded fuel. Airport staff said federal regulations and aviation supply chains limit local authority to ban sales; they urged continued grant-seeking, tenant outreach, and monitoring of FAA and EPA policy developments.

Separately, the public comment referenced Resolution 24-218; the record shows the resolution exists (cited by Michael Ray) but commenters said no meaningful city incentive program or grant-seeking had yet been implemented. Airport staff disputed any suggestion of inaction on testing, noting city-commissioned neighborhood soil testing was performed and results had been delivered; citizens said sample timing and follow-up left questions about enforcement and follow-up programs.