Energy and Sustainability Standing Committee Charter Page 1 of 4
RESOLUTION 3770 EXHIBIT B
1
PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION
2
ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY
3
STANDING COMMITTEE CHARTER
4
5
Proposed February 11, 2020
6
7
I. INTRODUCTION
8
9
The Energy and Sustainability Committee, herein referred to as “the committee,” is a standing
10
committee created by the Port of Seattle Commission. The committee will provide information,
11
advice, and recommendations about programs and policies as described below.
12
13
The Port of Seattle’s Century Agenda outlines a strategic objective to become the greenest and
14
most energy efficient port in North America and sets specific greenhouse gas reduction targets.
15
The Energy and Sustainability Committee shall provide information, advice, and
16
recommendations to inform commission policy development in pursuit of the port’s Century
17
Agenda environmental and sustainability goals. The committee shall conduct its work in the
18
context of other Century Agenda goals, and continue the port’s commitment to fiscal
19
responsibility, social equity, and environmental justice.
20
21
This charter defines the composition, authority, mission, scope, responsibility, and meeting
22
structure of this committee.
23
24
II. COMPOSITION
25
26
The committee will consist of two Port of Seattle commissioners appointed by the commission
27
president after consultation with the commission at the beginning of each calendar year in which
28
the committee is active.
29
30
III. SCOPE OF WORK
31
32
A. The work of the Energy and Sustainability Standing Committee primary responsibility is
33
to develop policy recommendations and monitor implementation of the Century Agenda’s
34
environmental and sustainability goals including “be the greenest and most energy-efficient port
35
in North America” and “meet all increased energy needs through conservation and renewable
36
sources.” The work of the committee will include the following:
37
38
B. Develop and provide recommendations to the commission on policies, programs and
39
strategies that advance the Port of Seattle’s reduction and mitigation goals for port Century
40
Agenda greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals.
41
42
Item Number: 8a_attach_2
Meeting Date: February 11, 2020
Energy and Sustainability Standing Committee Charter Page 2 of 4
C. Monitor the implementation of the Sustainable Evaluation Framework Policy Directive
43
and review Sustainable Design Strategies as designated in the Sustainable Evaluation Framework
44
Policy Directive.
45
46
D. Monitor the development and implementation of the Sustainable Aviation Fuels strategy
47
and implementation, including the statewide implementation of a Clean Fuel Standard to support
48
regional market development for Sustainable Aviation Fuels.
49
50
E. Monitor the development and implementation of the Port of Seattle Waterfront Clean
51
Energy Strategic Plan.
52
53
F. Monitor the development and implementation of the cruise environmental principle as
54
passed in Motion 2019-02:
55
56
“Incorporate leading edge environmental stewardship and sustainability practices and
57
facilities that can exceed existing regulations.
58
59
a) Set aggressive goals to minimize greenhouse gas impacts in operation of ships and
60
terminals to support the Port’s goals of reducing carbon by 50 percent by 2030 and
61
the carbon-neutral-by-2050 goal.
62
63
b) Lead the region and the industry to minimize air emissions, ensure water quality and
64
protect our ecosystems, focusing on minimizing air and water discharges at dock and
65
underway.
66
67
c) Engage with key local stakeholders in support of regional environmental priorities and
68
initiatives, including considering recommendations from the state’s Orca Task Force.
69
70
d) Require use of shore power where feasible by equipped ships and include shore
71
power capabilities at the new berth.”
72
73
G. Review and recommend to the Port of Seattle Commission pilot projects and research
74
opportunities to develop commission policy directives.
75
76
IV. AUTHORITY
77
78
In pursuit of its mission and scope, the committee is not legally authorized to act on behalf of the
79
Port of Seattle Commission, but is authorized to conduct the following activities:
80
81
A. Gather information, consider matters within the committee’s scope of work, and provide
82
information, advice, and recommendations to the Port of Seattle Commission.
83
84
B. Communicate to the public the priorities of the Port of Seattle Commission.
85
Energy and Sustainability Standing Committee Charter Page 3 of 4
86
C. Engage in outreach efforts and activities to gather information to provide to the Port of
87
Seattle Commission.
88
89
D. If the committee determines that to meet its responsibilities it needs the independent
90
services of an outside advisor or consultant with expertise in areas relevant to the responsibilities
91
of the committee, it may propose the retention of such advisor or consultant to the commission
92
for approval.
93
94
V. DURATION
95
96
The Energy and Sustainability Committee is standing committee with broad purview over matters
97
related to environmental and sustainability issues and will continue indefinitely until the
98
commission repeals its charter.
99
100
VI. RESPONSIBILITY
101
102
A. The role of the committee chair(s) shall be to:
103
104
1. Preside at meetings and serve as committee sponsor(s);
105
106
2. Ensure that the committee addresses the purposes described in this charter; and
107
108
3. Set committee meeting agendas.
109
110
B. The Commission Policy Manager is the committee liaison, and commission specialists will
111
support the work of the committee as assigned. The role of the committee liaison shall be to:
112
113
1. Regularly update the commission on the work of the committee in memos, individual
114
briefings, and public session;
115
116
2. Support the work of the committee;
117
118
3. Help develop, manage, and distribute meeting materials;
119
120
4. Provide logistical support including procuring meeting rooms, scheduling, creating
121
meeting records, and providing technical assistance; and
122
123
5. Coordinate with the primary executive staff contact to keep the Executive Director
124
informed about committee progress.
125
126
C. The Port of Seattle Senior Director, Engineering, Environment and Sustainability will
127
support the committee as the primary executive staff contact. The role of the executive staff
128
contact shall be to:
129
Energy and Sustainability Standing Committee Charter Page 4 of 4
130
1. Inform the Executive Director about committee progress;
131
132
2. Support the committee with timely and responsive information;
133
134
3. Coordinate with other executive staff in support of the committee’s work; and
135
136
4. Serve as a resource for committee deliberation.
137
138
VII. MEETINGS
139
140
A. The committee will meet at least quarterly and will report to the commission in public
141
session to provide transparency as to progress made in executing its charter.
142
143
B. Workgroups composed of non-commissioner advisors and subject matter experts may be
144
formed by the committee to provide in-depth analysis of issues for the committee and are
145
expected to meet as frequently as needed. Workgroup meetings are not considered official
146
committee meetings for purposes of establishing a quorum or management of records by the
147
commission clerk.
148
149
C. A quorum of the committee is required to conduct official committee business. A quorum
150
is defined as the presence of both commissioners assigned to the committee.
151
152
D. Meetings of the Energy and Sustainability Committee shall be open to the public when
153
required by applicable law or the bylaws of the Port of Seattle Commission.
154
155
E. Agendas will be prepared and made available to committee members in advance of
156
meetings.
157
158
F. Agendas for updates to the commission to be presented in public session will be published
159
as part of regular or special commission meeting notices.
160
161
G. Minutes will be prepared and retained for all meetings of the committee.
162
163
H. Records of committee meetings, including any meeting minutes, shall be provided to the
164
commission clerk for appropriate retention in accordance with applicable law and best practices.
165
