Energy and Sustainability Standing Committee Charter Page 1 of 4
RESOLUTION 3770 EXHIBIT B
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PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION
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ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY
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STANDING COMMITTEE CHARTER
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Proposed February 25, 2020
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I. INTRODUCTION
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A. The Energy and Sustainability Committee, herein referred to as “the committee,” is a
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standing committee created by the Port of Seattle Commission. The committee will provide
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information, advice, and recommendations about programs and policies as described below.
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B. The Port of Seattle’s Century Agenda outlines a strategic objective to become the
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greenest and most energy efficient port in North America and sets specific greenhouse gas
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reduction targets. The Energy and Sustainability Committee shall provide information, advice,
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and recommendations to inform commission policy development in pursuit of the port’s Century
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Agenda environmental and sustainability goals. The committee shall conduct its work in the
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context of other Century Agenda goals, and continue the port’s commitment to fiscal
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responsibility, social equity, and environmental justice.
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C. This charter defines the composition, authority, mission, scope, responsibility, and
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meeting structure of this committee.
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II. COMPOSITION
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The committee will consist of two Port of Seattle commissioners appointed by the commission
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president after consultation with the commission at the beginning of each calendar year in which
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the committee is active.
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III. SCOPE OF WORK
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A. The work of the Energy and Sustainability Standing Committee primary responsibility is
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to develop policy recommendations and monitor implementation of the Century Agenda’s
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environmental and sustainability goals including “be the greenest and most energy-efficient port
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in North America” and “meet all increased energy needs through conservation and renewable
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sources.” The work of the committee will include the following:
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B. Develop and provide recommendations to the commission on policies, programs, and
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strategies that advance the Port of Seattle’s reduction and mitigation goals for port Century
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Agenda greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals.
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Item Number: 8d_Exhibit B
Meeting Date: February 25, 2020
Revised: February 24, 2020
Energy and Sustainability Standing Committee Charter Page 2 of 4
C. Monitor the implementation of the Sustainable Evaluation Framework Policy Directive
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and review Sustainable Design Strategies as designated in the Sustainable Evaluation Framework
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Policy Directive.
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D. Monitor the development and implementation of the Sustainable Aviation Fuels strategy
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and implementation, including the statewide implementation of a Clean Fuel Standard to support
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regional market development for Sustainable Aviation Fuels.
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E. Monitor the development and implementation of the Port of Seattle Waterfront Clean
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Energy Strategic Plan.
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F. Monitor the development and implementation of the cruise environmental principle as
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passed in Motion 2019-02 and reads as follows:
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“Incorporate leading edge environmental stewardship and sustainability practices and
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facilities that can exceed existing regulations.
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a) Set aggressive goals to minimize greenhouse gas impacts in operation of ships and
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terminals to support the Port’s goals of reducing carbon by 50 percent by 2030 and
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the carbon-neutral-by-2050 goal.
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b) Lead the region and the industry to minimize air emissions, ensure water quality and
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protect our ecosystems, focusing on minimizing air and water discharges at dock and
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underway.
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c) Engage with key local stakeholders in support of regional environmental priorities and
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initiatives, including considering recommendations from the state’s Orca Task Force.
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d) Require use of shore power where feasible by equipped ships and include shore
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power capabilities at the new berth.”
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G. Review and recommend to the Port of Seattle Commission pilot projects and research
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opportunities to develop commission policy directives.
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IV. AUTHORITY
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In pursuit of its mission and scope, the committee is not legally authorized to act on behalf of the
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Port of Seattle Commission, but is authorized to conduct the following activities:
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A. Gather information, consider matters within the committee’s scope of work, and provide
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information, advice, and recommendations to the Port of Seattle Commission.
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B. Communicate to the public the priorities of the Port of Seattle Commission.
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Energy and Sustainability Standing Committee Charter Page 3 of 4
C. Engage in outreach efforts and activities to gather information to provide to the Port of
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Seattle Commission.
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D. If the committee determines that to meet its responsibilities it needs the independent
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services of an outside advisor or consultant with expertise in areas relevant to the responsibilities
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of the committee, it may propose the retention of such advisor or consultant to the commission
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for approval.
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V. DURATION
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The Energy and Sustainability Committee is a standing committee with broad purview over
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matters related to environmental and sustainability issues and will continue indefinitely until the
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commission repeals its charter.
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VI. RESPONSIBILITY
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A. The role of the committee chair(s) shall be to:
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1. Preside at meetings and serve as committee sponsor(s);
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2. Ensure that the committee addresses the purposes described in this charter; and
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3. Set committee meeting agendas.
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B. The Commission Policy Manager is the committee liaison, and commission specialists will
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support the work of the committee as assigned. The role of the committee liaison shall be to:
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1. Regularly update the commission on the work of the committee in memos, individual
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briefings, and public session;
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2. Support the work of the committee;
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3. Help develop, manage, and distribute meeting materials;
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4. Provide logistical support including procuring meeting rooms, scheduling, creating
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meeting records, and providing technical assistance; and
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5. Coordinate with the primary executive staff contact to keep the Executive Director
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informed about committee progress.
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C. The Port of Seattle Senior Director, Engineering, Environment and Sustainability will
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support the committee as the primary executive staff contact. The role of the executive staff
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contact shall be to:
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Energy and Sustainability Standing Committee Charter Page 4 of 4
1. Inform the Executive Director about committee progress;
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2. Support the committee with timely and responsive information;
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3. Coordinate with other executive staff in support of the committee’s work; and
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4. Serve as a resource for committee deliberation.
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VII. MEETINGS
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A. The committee will meet at least quarterly and will report to the commission in public
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session to provide transparency as to progress made in executing its charter.
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B. Workgroups composed of non-commissioner advisors and subject matter experts may be
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formed by the committee to provide in-depth analysis of issues for the committee and are
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expected to meet as frequently as needed. Workgroup meetings are not considered official
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committee meetings for purposes of establishing a quorum or management of records by the
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commission clerk.
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C. A quorum of the committee is required to conduct official committee business. A quorum
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is defined as the presence of both commissioners assigned to the committee.
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D. Meetings of the Energy and Sustainability Committee shall be open to the public when
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required by applicable law or the bylaws of the Port of Seattle Commission.
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E. Agendas will be prepared and made available to committee members in advance of
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meetings.
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F. Agendas for updates to the commission to be presented in public session will be published
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as part of regular or special commission meeting notices.
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G. Minutes will be prepared and retained for all meetings of the committee.
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H. Records of committee meetings, including any meeting minutes, shall be provided to the
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commission clerk for appropriate retention in accordance with applicable law and best practices.
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