Motion 2019-06 – 2019 Energy and Sustainability Special Committee Charter Page 1 of 2
MOTION 2019-06:
A MOTION OF THE PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION
adopting the charter of the 2019 Energy and Sustainability
Special Committee, as attached, to develop
recommendations to the Port of Seattle Commission on
Century Agenda environmental and sustainability goals;
replacing the charter of the 2018 Energy and Sustainability
Special Committee adopted March 27, 2018.
PROPOSED
APRIL 23, 2019
TEXT OF THE MOTION
The Port of Seattle Commission hereby adopts the attached charter of the 2019 Energy and
Sustainability Special Committee to provide information, advice, and recommendations about
fulfilling the port’s Century Agenda environmental and sustainability goals, including being the
greenest and most energy-efficient port in North America and meeting all increased energy
needs through conservation and renewable sources, and to perform the scope of work
elaborated in the attached charter. This charter replaces the charter of the 2018 Energy and
Sustainability Special Committee adopted March 27, 2018, which replaced the charter of the
Energy and Sustainability Special Committee adopted January 26, 2016.
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
in December 2017.
The Port had significant strategic environmental decisions in 2018 that required an added level
of oversight and engagement by the Chairs of this Committee, Commissioners Fred Felleman
and Ryan Calkins. The Port of Seattle Commission made chartering of a new Energy and
Sustainability Committee one of its top priorities for 2018.
The 2019 Energy and Sustainability Committee will continue the work of the previous
Committees. The Committee will deliver a Sustainable Project Framework Resolution; continue
Motion 2019-06 – 2019 Energy and Sustainability Special Committee Charter Page 2 of 2
to monitor Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) strategy implementation; host a SAF Summit and roll
out the results of an airline SAF memorandum of understanding; review and comment on the
development of the Port’s Waterfront Clean Energy Strategic Plan; and continue to coordinate
development of the Maritime Blue Inspiration 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
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 implementation of the Sustainable Aviation Fuels
strategy and implementation and the outcomes of the SAF Airlines MOU. Sustainable Aviation
Fuels is one of the most significant ways the Port can create greenhouse gas reductions in the
region.
There are two new additions to the Committee charter in 2019. The Committee will review the
Seattle Waterfront Clean Energy Strategic Plan. It will review and comment on the development
of the planning, scope, and schedule of the Port’s Waterfront Clean Energy Strategic Plan.
The second new area of oversight will be over the of the Environmental Cruise Principle as
approved by the Commission on March 12, 2019 that included “supporting principles for the
development of the Port’s cruise business and to guide engagement with prospective partners
and stakeholders in the operation of existing and potential new cruise facilities.”
Finally, the Committee shall support the development of the Maritime Blue Maritime
Inspiration awards to recognize companies and organizations in Washington that inspire young
people through environmental sustainability, technological innovation, and community
development
The Port of Seattle Commission, by this motion, charters the 2019 Energy and Sustainability
Special Committee to develop policy recommendations and conduct oversight in these five
primary areas to further the environmental and sustainability goals of the Port’s Century
Agenda.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ATTACHED
Draft 2019 Energy and Sustainability Special Committee Charter
Action Items from Committee and Progress
