Template revised September 22, 2016.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
7b
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
March 27, 2018
DATE: March 7, 2018
TO: Executive Director Steve Metruck
FROM: Elizabeth Leavitt, Senior Director, Environment and Sustainability
Lindsay Wolpa, Regional Government Relations Manager
SUBJECT: Joining K4C, King County-Cities Climate Collaboration
Amount of this request: $0 (these funds were previously approved)
Total estimated cost: $7,000 annually
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to enter into a Memorandum of
Agreement with King County to become an official member of the King County-Cities Climate
Collaboration.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Over the last several years, the Port has made significant strides in enhancing our work around
matters relating climate change and sustainability. That included the formation of the
Environment and Sustainability Center of Expertise along with the charting of the Commission’s
Energy and Sustainability Committee (the Committee).
Through work of the Committee and the new Center of Expertise, the efforts of the King
County-Cities Climate Collaboration (K4C) came to the attention of Port staff. The work of K4C
demonstrated the power of collective action and is aligned with port goals. As it currently
exists, K4C is a collaboration of King County and thirteen cities (Bellevue, Burien, Issaquah,
Kirkland, Mercer Island, Normandy Park, Redmond, Renton, Sammamish, Seattle, Shoreline,
Snoqualmie, and Tukwila) to coordinate and enhance the effectiveness of local government
climate and sustainability action.
If approved, the Port of Seattle will become the first non-City government to become a K4C
member.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 7b Page 2 of 3
Meeting Date: March 27, 2018
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
JUSTIFICATION
Joining K4C as its first non-City member is well supported by the Century Agenda and goals of
the Commission’s Energy and Sustainability Committee.
The Port of Seattle Commission unanimously chartered the Energy and Sustainability
Committee by motion on January 26, 2016. The charter tasked the Committee to develop and
propose Policy Directives to help guide the development of policies to support the Port of
Seattle’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions effort, with a focus on energy efficiency
and alternative energy generation. Commissioners Felleman and Gregoire were named as
Chairs of the Committee.
The Chairs brought together 23 advisors to participate in the formation of the policy
recommendations. The advisors came from diverse sectors of our community including
environmental, business, labor, social justice, academia, think tanks, maritime, aviation,
construction, and government agencies.
Significant work is already underway to reduce and mitigate environmental impacts of port
operations, and other environmental areas at both the Port of Seattle and the Northwest
Seaport Alliance (NWSA). The Co-chairs’ recommendations to the full Commission, informed by
input from the Committee work groups, were meant to enhance the Port of Seattle’s ongoing
energy conservation and GHG emissions reduction efforts.
The Committee focused primarily on GHG emissions generated directly by the Port. However,
we acknowledge the Port’s efforts to measure and address the GHG emissions of port tenants
and customers in its contributions to the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, sustainable
aviation fuels, electrification of airport ground support, or identifying sources of renewable
natural gas.
Through one of the Committee’s work groups, the topic of Port membership in K4C was initially
proposed. The Port’s Energy and Sustainability Senior Director began participating in K4C
steering committee meetings in early 2017 and determined that official membership was
appropriate, and included funds to do that in the 2018 approved budget.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The cost associated with the Port of Seattle becoming a K4C member was included in the
Energy and Sustainability Department’s approved 2018 budget. As we do each year, staff will
evaluate this item in connection with the 2019 budget in regards to maintaining membership
with K4C.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
(1) Presentation slides
(2) Draft Memorandum of Agreement
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 7b Page 3 of 3
Meeting Date: March 27, 2018
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
November 28, 2017 – The Commission approved the 2018 Budget, which included $7,000
within Environment and Sustainability’s budget for the purpose of joining K4C.
October 24, 2017 – The Commission approved the motion implementing recommendations
of the Energy and Sustainability Committee and setting strategic priorities.
