By Lindsay Peyton

Port of Seattle commissioners unanimously adopted the charter for the 2018 energy and sustainability special committee during its recent meeting.

The charter establishes the responsibilities and jurisdiction of the committee and develops a work plan, Aaron Pritchard, issues and policy manager, explained.

Commissioners Fred Felleman and Ryan Calkins will serve as chairs for the group.  

“This really is building on an array of accomplishments from last year,” Felleman said. 

In January 2016, the Port created its first iteration of the Energy and Sustainability Committee -- co-chaired by Felleman and Commissioner Courtney Gregoire.

The committee guided the creation of the Energy and Sustainability Motion, allowing for greater forward momentum on programs designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions – and further promotion of sustainability and renewable energy in all Port operations. The Commissioners approved the motion in November 2017.

The motion directed the Port of Seattle to develop an evaluation system to help meet goals for greenhouse gas reduction – and to increase the transparency of projects in the process.

“That work has already begun,” Pritchard said. “The 2016 committee basically came up with a way to look at projects that come before the commission to help the public understand how those decisions were made, using various lenses, both environmental and social.” 

The motion also set aside $1 million in funding for four environmental pilot projects, divided between airport and maritime operations. In addition, approval was given to hire two additional staff members focused on sustainability. 

With this recent charter, Felleman said the committee will be able to expand upon past efforts and work towards the Port of Seattle’s goal to be the greenest, most energy efficient port in the U.S.

The Port’s senior director of environment and sustainability Elizabeth Leavitt said the measure in 2016 was a step in the right direction, especially when it comes to creating a transparent and repeatable method for addressing projects.

“That’s what this framework is really intended to do—to create a process through which Port staff can assure you that they’ve looked at all the important criteria,” Leavitt said. “Once we get this framework developed, we really need to test drive it in this Port environment.”

She said four pilot projects will be proposed in the upcoming year. The staff has already created a number of criteria to evaluate potential efforts. 

The committee will also oversee a move towards more sustainable aviation fuels, Leavitt said.    

In addition, the group will work on building “blue carbon” or carbon stored in marine ecosystems, as well as creating greater collaborations with regional partners. “We’ve got a good work program for this year,” Leavitt said. 

Commissioner Peter Steinbrueck said he is concerned about the focus on alternative fuels. “It’s something we have little or no control over,” he said. “It’s industry driven, and there’s enormous expense associated with the introduction, distribution, mixing etc. of sustainable aviation fuel alternatives.”

Steinbrueck asked that the commission look for other ways to reduce greenhouse gases, including improving ground transportation and increasing efficiency operations. 

Commissioner Calkins said there are a number of reasons to focus on sustainable fuels, including serving as a role model in the region. “The Port of Seattle alone is not going to move the needle on this,” he said. “We have to participate in a larger collaboration.”

In addition, he a sustainable fuel task force was established at the state legislature. “We want to make sure we’re part of that,” he said. “We need to include that in our work plan.”

Commissioner Felleman added that Steinbrueck’s concerns will be taken into consideration by the committee. “This is a huge undertaking,” he said. 

Felleman said part of the motion includes the installation of solar panels on Pier 69, 2711 Alaskan Way. He explained that the Port has already dedicated resources toward green energy, habitat restoration and other environmental action. 

“We’re making good on our commitment,” he said. “This is really furthering our purpose. We’ve had a very good start.”

Pritchard said that the Port also wants to showcase positive efforts to promote sustainability accomplished by individual airlines.

Earlier in the month, the Port commission created an aviation committee focused on building a sustainable master plan for the airport, Pritchard added. Other committees could form in the future, he said. 

For more information, visit www.portseattle.org.