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.

ADOPTED

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

2019 Energy and Sustainability Special Committee Charter Page 1 of 7

PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION

2019 ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY SPECIAL COMMITTEE CHARTER

Adopted April 23, 2019

I. INTRODUCTION

The Port of Seattle’s Century Agenda outlines a strategic objective to become the greenest and

most energy efficient port in North America and sets specific greenhouse gas reduction targets.

An Energy and Sustainability Committee was originally chartered by the Port of Seattle

Commission on January 26, 2016, to address this strategic objective. 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 and

instructing Port staff to develop a Sustainability Evaluation Framework to assist the Port in

meeting its greenhouse gas reduction and sustainability goals.

Pursuant to the 2017 motion, the Sustainability Evaluation Framework was to be developed

over the course of 2018 and tested through a series of pilot projects. The framework will help

determine how to incorporate environmental and social considerations and create

transparency for the Commission’s review of project proposals. Adoption of the 2017 motion

concluded the work outlined in the 2016 Energy and Sustainability Committee Charter.

In 2018, the Committee developed a Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) Memorandum of

Understanding between the Port of Seattle and the airlines at Sea-Tac Airport, recommended

the final Sustainable Aviation Fuels strategic plan to the Commission, proposed state-wide

environmental awards that have been incorporated into the Governor’s Maritime Blue

outcomes, and launched the Smith Cove Blue Carbon pilot project.

The 2019 Energy and Sustainability Special Committee shall continue to provide information,

advice, and recommendations to inform commission policy development in pursuit of the port’s

Century Agenda environmental and sustainability goals. The committee shall conduct its work

in the context of other Century Agenda goals, the 2017 and 2018 motions, and continue the

port’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and social equity and justice.

II. COMPOSITION

The 2019 Energy and Sustainability Special Committee will consist of two Port of Seattle

Commissioners appointed by the commission president after consultation with the commission

at the beginning of each calendar year in which the committee is active. Non-voting members

from within and outside the port may be invited to participate at the discretion of the

committee.

2019 Energy and Sustainability Special Committee Charter Page 2 of 7

III. SCOPE OF WORK

The work of the 2019 Energy and Sustainability Special Committee shall include the following:

A. Century Agenda Strategy 4. Review proposed revisions and recommend to the

Commission changes, as necessary, to the Port’s Century Agenda Strategy 4: Be the

greenest, and most energy efficient port in North America.

B. Sustainability Evaluation Framework Policy Directive. Draft and recommend to the

Commission a Port-wide Sustainability Evaluation Framework Policy Directive. The

Framework will assist the port in meeting its greenhouse gas reduction and

sustainability goals and will be used to better inform commission decision making and

public transparency about how project proposals are made that:

1. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions

2. Increase energy resilience

3. Protect public health and the environment

4. Support local economic development

5. Advance racial and social equity

6. Leverage partnerships

7. Advance innovation

C. Sustainable Aviation Fuel Strategy Development and Implementation:

1. Review and comment on progress and results of the SAF MOU work, as agreed to in

the Airline Signatory Lease and Operating Agreement IV (SAF MOU) in 2018. Results

of the SAF MOU work may influence or modify the proposed future actions and

efforts noted below.

2. Track efforts to establish a regional source of SAF at a commercially competitive rate

and ensure a commitment from the airlines that they will use SAF preferentially to

meet goals specified in the Commission’s December 19, 2017, motion.

3. Track initiatives to ensure cost-competitiveness for SAF through a variety of

methods that are not mutually exclusive, and as stated in the December 19, 2017,

motion, include:

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(a) Work with airlines to support state and federal legislation establishing a cost-

effective Clean Fuel Standard (CFS) consistent with bills, executive orders,

policies, and regulations implemented in the states of California and Oregon and

the province of British Columbia; or similar provision that includes options for

aviation tax credits as well as tax credits for use of marine and on-road

renewable diesel.

(b) Work with airlines to advocate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA),

federal and state legislators, regulatory agencies, industry groups, and other

partners for use of airport revenues to offset costs of SAF through their co-

benefits to human health and the environment.

existing Voluntary Airport Low Emissions (VALE) grant programs to support SAF

through their co-benefits.

(d) Seek mutual financial investments with the port and its partners including

identifying potential uses of the $5 million over 5-year SAF Fund that was

established in the 2019 Port of Seattle budget.

4. Develop outcomes and next steps following the Washington SAF Summit. Continue

to engage local, state, and federal decision-makers and interested stakeholders

along the value chain including but not limited to: farmers, financiers, bio-refiners,

logistics operators, as well as other fuel users such as Washington State Ferries,

cruise lines, tug boat operators, other harbor craft, truck operators, fishing boats,

the United States Coast Guard, and the Department of Defense.

5. Review and recommend to the commission, the Public Affairs strategic

communications plan tailored to the commission’s SAF goals that positions the Port

of Seattle as a leader in the SAF industry locally, nationally, and internationally.

6. Review and recommend to the commission sustainability certification standards for

SAF at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and encourage our airline partners to

purchase SAF that meets our shared values.

D. Environmental Cruise Principle Implementation. Review implementation of Motion

2019-02 adopted March 12, 2019, supporting principles for the development of the

Port’s cruise business and guiding engagement with prospective partners and

stakeholders in the operation of existing and potential new cruise facilities. The

committee will focus on reviewing implementation of environmental principle number 4

of the motion, which reads as follows:

2019 Energy and Sustainability Special Committee Charter Page 4 of 7

(4) Incorporate leading edge environmental stewardship and

sustainability practices and facilities that can exceed existing

regulations.

(a) Set aggressive goals to minimize greenhouse gas

impacts in operation of ships and terminals to support

the Port’s goals of reducing carbon by 50 percent by

2030 and the carbon-neutral-by-2050 goal.

(b) Lead the region and the industry to minimize air

emissions, ensure water quality and protect our

ecosystems, focusing on minimizing air and water

discharges at dock and underway.

regional environmental priorities and initiatives,

including considering recommendations from the

state’s Orca Task Force.

(d) Require use of shore power where feasible by

equipped ships and include shore power capabilities at

the new berth.

E. Monitor the development of the Port of Seattle Waterfront Clean Energy Strategic Plan.

1. Review and monitor the development of the planning, scope, and schedule of the

plan.

2. Participate in outreach to the Northwest Seaport Alliance, City of Seattle, and

others.

3. Provide review, comments, and recommendations with partners on goals,

objectives, and principles for the plan.

4. Review major milestone achievements and provide comments on progress.

F. Develop a proposal for Maritime Innovation and Environmental Awards.

1. Review and recommend to the commission an updated approach to the Port of

Seattle’s 2020 and future environmental awards.

2. Support 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 awards

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are proposed to be given annually at the Maritime Blue summit (estimated for April-

May), in conjunction with local maritime partners.

IV. AUTHORITY

In pursuit of its purposes and scope, the committee is not legally authorized to act on behalf of

the Port of Seattle Commission, but is authorized to conduct the following activities:

A. Review and recommend a Sustainable Framework Policy Directive.

B. Monitor and comment on framework pilot projects.

C. Review and comment on progress and results of the SAF MOU work, as agreed to in the

Airline Signatory Lease and Operating Agreement IV (SAF MOU) in 2018.

D. Review and recommend a Blue Carbon strategy to the Port of Seattle Commission and

monitor progress of the Smith Cove Blue Carbon and habitat pilot project near Terminal

91.

E. Review and recommend a Seattle Waterfront Clean Energy Strategic Plan to to deliver

clean energy that is reliable, cost effective, and resilient.

F. Review and recommend refinements to the environmental awards program for the Port

of Seattle.

G. The committee is authorized to seek public engagement by way of community

meetings, workgroups, and testimony as part of regular or special Port of Seattle

Commission meetings as deemed necessary, subject to the applicable rules and

procedures for calling such public meetings.

H. If the committee determines that to meet its responsibilities it needs the independent

services of an outside advisor or consultant, it may propose the retention of such

advisor or consultant to the commission for approval.

V. DURATION

The work of the 2019 Energy and Sustainability Special Committee will continue until

completion of the outcomes described in its purposes and scope for which the committee is

responsible.

VI. RESPONSIBILITY

A. The role of committee chair(s) shall be to:

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1. Preside at meetings and serve as committee sponsor(s);

2. Ensure that the committee addresses the purposes described in this charter; and

3. Set committee meeting agendas.

B. The Commission Policy Manager is the committee liaison, and commission specialists

will support the work of the committee as assigned. The role of the committee liaison

shall be to:

1. Regularly update the commission on the work of the committee in memos,

individual briefings, and public session.

2. Support the work of the committee.

3. Help develop, manage, and distribute meeting materials.

4. Provide logistical support including procuring meeting rooms, scheduling, creating

meeting records, and providing technical assistance.

C. The Port of Seattle Environment and Sustainability Center of Expertise Senior Director

will support the committee as the primary executive staff contact. The role of the

executive staff contact shall be to:

1. Support the committee with timely and responsive information.

2. Coordinate with other executive staff in support of the committee’s work; and

3. Serve as a resource for committee deliberation.

VII. MEETINGS

A. The committee will meet at least quarterly and will subsequently report to the

commission in public session to provide transparency as to progress made in executing

its charter.

B. Workgroups composed of non-commissioner advisors and subject matter experts may

be formed by the committee to provide in-depth analysis of issues for the committee

and are expected to meet as frequently as needed. Workgroup meetings are not

considered official committee meetings for purposes of establishing a quorum or

management of records by the commission clerk.

C. A quorum of the committee is required to conduct official committee business. A

quorum is defined as the presence of both commissioners assigned to the committee.

2019 Energy and Sustainability Special Committee Charter Page 7 of 7

D. Meetings of the 2019 Energy and Sustainability Special Committee shall be open to the

public when required by applicable law or the bylaws of the Port of Seattle Commission.

E. Agendas will be prepared and made available to the committee and workgroup

members in advance of meetings.

F. Agendas for updates to the commission to be presented in public session will be

published as part of regular or special commission meeting notices.

G. Minutes will be prepared and retained for all meetings of the committee.

H. Records of committee meetings, including any meeting minutes, shall be provided to

the commission clerk for appropriate retention in accordance with applicable law and

best practices.

Energy and Sustainability Outcomes Complete In-progress Completed By

Regionally Aligned GHG Goals X

Create Short, Medium and Long Term GHG Goals X

Sustainability Framework X 2019 Q2

Apply to four Pilot Projects X 2019 Q2

Valuing and Internalizing Carbon Costs X

Aviation: Reduce Natural Gas use (RNG) (reduce scope 1) X 2019 Q3

Maritime: GHG and Energy Audits, Lighting and Energy Efficiency projects X

Maritime: Conduct Scope 3 GHG Inventory and long-term planning X 2020

Maritime: Determine Fenceline boundaries and baseline calculations for maritime X 2020

Maritime: Electricity Metering X

2020 Report of GHG inventories X 2020

Calculate carbon sequestraton benefits from habitat X

Improve Commute Trip Reduction program X 2019 Q4

Green Fleet Plan X Q3 2019

Encuorage the use of low or zero emmissions Rental Cars X

Explore long-term strategies and short term operation studies to promote GT shift X

Complete Biofuels Financing Study X

Set Sustainable Aviation Fuels goals X

Reach agreement with major airline tenants to advance the use of SAF X

Develop and approve SAF Strategic Plan by mid-2018 X

Governance Structure for Corporate Aviation SAF X Q3 2019

3 New FTE's to Focus on Sustainability X

Develop Port-Wide Equity Policy X

Pilot projects

underway