Item No: 8b______________
Meeting Date: March 27,2018

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MOTION 2018-04:
A MOTION OF THE PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION
ADOPTING THE CHARTER OF AN ENERGY AND
SUSTAINABILITY SPECIAL COMMITTEE
PROPOSED
MARCH 27, 2018

TEXT OF THE MOTION
The Port of Seattle Commission hereby adopts the attached charter of the 2018 Energy and
Sustainability Special Committee to develop policy recommendations and provide oversight of:
the Century Agenda's environmental and sustainability goals including "be the greenest and
most energy-efficient Port in North America" and "meet all increased energy needs through
conservation and renewable sources"; implementation of the Commission's motion of October
24, 2017; and of the items described in the attached charter.

STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION
An Energy and Sustainability Committee was originally chartered by the Port of Seattle
Commission on January 26, 2016. On October 24, 2017, the Commission passed a motion
supporting the committee's recommendation to align the Port's greenhouse gas reduction
goals with those of King County and the City of Seattle. It also instructed Port staff to develop a
Sustainability Evaluation Framework to assist the Port in meeting its greenhouse gas reduction
and sustainability goals. The work of the 2016 Energy and Sustainability Committee concluded
on December 2019.
The Port of Seattle Commission made chartering of a new Energy and Sustainability Committee
one of its top priorities for 2018. The Port has significant strategic environmental decisions in
2018 and 2019 that will require an added level of oversight and engagement by the Chairs of
this Committee, Commissioners Fred Felleman and Ryan Calkins. The Committee will undertake
four primary subjects in its workplan: the Sustainable Evaluation Framework, Sustainable
Aviation Fuels, an aquatic carbon sequestration "Blue Carbon" strategy, and an update of the
Port's Environmental Awards.
The Sustainable Project Framework was proposed by the 2016 Energy and Sustainability
Committee, chaired by Commissioners Courtney Gregoire and Fred Felleman. This Framework
will assist the Commission in making decisions on projects in a transparent manner that

2018 Energy and Sustainability Special Committee Charter Motion

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Item No: 8b______________
Meeting Date: March 27,2018
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explicitly reviews the environmental, social, and financial tradeoffs that occur in any project of
significance. The Committee will recommend four pilot projects to develop the Framework.
The Chairs will conduct oversight on the development of a Sustainable Aviation Fuels strategy
and implementation. Sustainable Aviation Fuels is one of the most significant ways the Port can
create greenhouse gas reductions in the region.
Blue Carbon is a new area of exploration for the Port that the Committee will support through
community engagements and partnerships. The Blue Carbon pilot project developed by a Port
of Seattle graduate intern, Victoria Knorr, will break ground this year and could have significant
impact on our greenhouse gas sequestration and regional partnerships.
Finally, the Committee shall update the Port's environmental awards with an eye towards
creating a comprehensive award that engages all of the Port's stakeholders and elevates the
community's sense of the Port's environmental innovation.
The Port of Seattle Commission, by this motion, charters the 2018 Energy and Sustainability
Special Committee to develop policy recommendations and conduct oversight in these four
primary areas to further the environmental and sustainability goals of the Port's Century
Agenda.

2018 Energy and Sustainability Special Committee Charter Motion

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