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February
10, 2018
Governor Jay Inslee
Office of the Governor
PO Box 40002
Olympia, WA 98504
Governor Inslee:
I am writing today in support of your efforts in Olympia to enact legislation that puts a price on carbon.
Carbon pricing can reduce the cost of renewable energy sources and lead our state toward a clean-energy
future that is not just economically beneficial to the state, but an environmental imperative.
The Port of Seattle Commission has consistently advanced progressive environmental policy. The
Century Agenda, adopted in 2012 to lay out a strategic roadmap for the next 25 years of port operations,
envisioned the Port meeting its increased energy needs through conservation and renewable sources. The
Port’s Long Range Plan outlines actions to get us there, and also calls for reduced carbon emissions and
air pollutants associated with our operations. Our state legislative agenda includes clear priorities to
support proposals that reinforce our ongoing efforts in this area.
Most recently, the Commission adopted the country’s most aggressive targets for implementing
sustainable aviation fuels and additional technologies and approaches to reducing air emissions. Enacting
a carbon pricing mechanism at the state level will reduce the gap in cost between renewable and
traditional fossil fuels, and help our state compete for resources with California and Oregon, where this
type of progressive climate policy already exists.
In addition to your work on a carbon pricing policy, I encourage you to consider the adoption of a Low
Carbon Fuel Standard as complementary to this effort. Currently, renewable fuels developed in our state
enjoy a stronger market in our neighboring states to the south, and therefore our own domestic resources
are supporting carbon reduction policies outside of Washington. The Port of Seattle Commission supports
state action to reverse this trend, and help to ensure Washington’s leadership role in the next generation
clean-energy economy.
Following conversations with lawmakers during development of the bill, our staff suggested
incorporating language that would reflect the work done in this state’s aviation sector to move toward a
low-carbon future. That would include language that:
‐ Confirms that efforts to implement sustainable aviation fuels are eligible for funding in any
energy transformation accounts that are funded through the revenue generated by a carbon tax
‐ Recognizes the carbon reduction plans already adopted by major sectors in the state, including the
state’s aviation sector and airports, and seeks to align state carbon pricing efforts with other local
governments and public and private sector entities
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‐ Ensures that funds generated from the proposal can be spent in collaboration with special purpose
districts, such as port districts, who have the ability to leverage private investment and who
operate major transportation facilities
The Port of Seattle stands ready to partner with you and your colleagues in the Legislature to advance
progressive climate policies, from carbon pricing to low carbon fuel standard, and look forward to
continued partnership on moving this state into the clean energy future.
Sincerely,
Courtney Gregoire
President, Port of Seattle Commission
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February 10, 2018
The Honorable Reuven Carlyle
Chair, Senate Energy, Environment, and Technology Committee
233 John A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA 98504
Senator Carlyle:
I am writing today in support of your efforts in Olympia to enact legislation that puts a price on carbon.
Carbon pricing can reduce the cost of renewable energy sources and lead our state toward a clean-energy
future that is not just economically beneficial to the state, but an environmental imperative.
The Port of Seattle Commission has consistently advanced progressive environmental policy. The
Century Agenda, adopted in 2012 to lay out a strategic roadmap for the next 25 years of port operations,
envisioned the Port meeting its increased energy needs through conservation and renewable sources. The
Port’s Long Range Plan outlines actions to get us there, and also calls for reduced carbon emissions and
air pollutants associated with our operations. Our state legislative agenda includes clear priorities to
support proposals that reinforce our ongoing efforts in this area.
Most recently, the Commission adopted the country’s most aggressive targets for implementing
sustainable aviation fuels and additional technologies and approaches to reducing air emissions. Enacting
a carbon pricing mechanism at the state level will reduce the gap in cost between renewable and
traditional fossil fuels, and help our state compete for resources with California and Oregon, where this
type of progressive climate policy already exists.
In addition to your work on a carbon pricing policy, I encourage you to consider the adoption of a Low
Carbon Fuel Standard as complementary to this effort. Currently, renewable fuels developed in our state
enjoy a stronger market in our neighboring states to the south, and therefore our own domestic resources
are supporting carbon reduction policies outside of Washington. The Port of Seattle Commission supports
state action to reverse this trend, and help to ensure Washington’s leadership role in the next generation
clean-energy economy.
Following conversations with lawmakers during development of the bill, our staff suggested
incorporating language that would reflect the work done in this state’s aviation sector to move toward a
low-carbon future. That would include language that:
- Confirms that efforts to implement sustainable aviation fuels are eligible for funding in any
energy transformation accounts that are funded through the revenue generated by a carbon tax
- Recognizes the carbon reduction plans already adopted by major sectors in the state, including the
state’s aviation sector and airports, and seeks to align state carbon pricing efforts with other local
governments and public and private sector entities
2
- Ensures that funds generated from the proposal can be spent in collaboration with special purpose
districts, such as port districts, who have the ability to leverage private investment and who
operate major transportation facilities
The Port of Seattle stands ready to partner with you and your colleagues in the Legislature to advance
progressive climate policies, from carbon pricing to low carbon fuel standard, and look forward to
continued partnership on moving this state into the clean energy future.
Sincerely,
Courtney Gregoire
President, Port of Seattle Commission
