Item Number:      7c_attach 
Meeting Date:   April 23, 2019 
1                                        PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION 
2               2019 ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY SPECIAL COMMITTEE CHARTER 
3 
4                                                Proposed April 23, 2019 
5 
6     I.   INTRODUCTION 
7 
8     The Port of Seattle's Century Agenda outlines a strategic objective to become the greenest and
9     most energy efficient port in North America and sets specific greenhouse gas reduction targets. 
10 
11    An  Energy and Sustainability Committee was originally chartered  by the Port of Seattle
12    Commission on January 26, 2016, to address this strategic objective. On October 24, 2017, the
13    Commission passed a motion supporting the committee's recommendation to align the Port's
14    greenhouse gas reduction goals with those of King County and the City of Seattle  and
15    instructing Port staff to develop a Sustainability Evaluation Framework to assist the Port in
16    meeting its greenhouse gas reduction and sustainability goals.
17 
18    Pursuant to the 2017 motion, the Sustainability Evaluation Framework was to be developed
19    over the course of 2018 and tested through a series of pilot projects. The framework will help
20    determine  how  to  incorporate  environmental  and  social  considerations  and  create
21    transparency for the Commission's review of project proposals. Adoption of the 2017 motion
22    concluded the work outlined in the 2016 Energy and Sustainability Committee Charter. 
23 
24    In  2018,  the  Committee  developed a  Sustainable  Aviation  Fuels  (SAF)  Memorandum  of
25    Understanding between the Port of Seattle and the airlines at Sea-Tac Airport, recommended
26    the final Sustainable Aviation Fuels strategic plan to the Commission, proposed state-wide
27    environmental  awards  that  have  been  incorporated  into  the  Governor's  Maritime  Blue
28    outcomes, and launched the Smith Cove Blue Carbon pilot project. 
29 
30    The 2019 Energy and Sustainability Special Committee shall continue to provide information,
31    advice, and recommendations to inform commission policy development in pursuit of the port's
32    Century Agenda environmental and sustainability goals. The committee shall conduct its work
33    in the context of other Century Agenda goals, the 2017 and 2018 motions, and continue the
34    port's commitment to fiscal responsibility and social equity and justice. 
35 
36    II.  COMPOSITION 
37 
38    The 2019 Energy and Sustainability Special Committee will consist of two Port of Seattle
39    Commissioners appointed by the commission president after consultation with the commission
40    at the beginning of each calendar year in which the committee is active. Non-voting members
41    from within and outside the port may be invited to participate at the discretion of the
42    committee. 
43 

2019 Energy and Sustainability Special Committee Charter                                   Page 1 of 7

44    III. SCOPE OF WORK 
45 
46    The work of the 2019 Energy and Sustainability Special Committee shall include the following: 
47 
48        A.  Century  Agenda  Strategy  4.  Review  proposed  revisions  and  recommend  to  the
49            Commission changes, as necessary, to the Port's Century Agenda Strategy 4: Be the
50            greenest, and most energy efficient port in North America. 
51 
52        B.  Sustainability  Evaluation Framework  Policy Directive. Draft and recommend to the
53            Commission a Port-wide  Sustainability Evaluation Framework Policy Directive.  The
54            Framework  will  assist  the  port  in  meeting  its  greenhouse  gas  reduction  and
55            sustainability goals and will be used to better inform commission decision making and 
56            public transparency about how project proposals are made that: 
57 
58            1.  Reduce greenhouse gas emissions 
59 
60            2.  Increase energy resilience 
61 
62            3.  Protect public health and the environment 
63 
64            4.  Support local economic development 
65 
66            5.  Advance racial and social equity 
67 
68            6.  Leverage partnerships 
69 
70            7.  Advance innovation 
71 
72        C.  Sustainable Aviation Fuel Strategy Development and Implementation: 
73 
74            1.  Review and comment on progress and results of the SAF MOU work, as agreed to in
75                the Airline Signatory Lease and Operating Agreement IV (SAF MOU) in 2018. Results
76                of the SAF MOU work may influence or modify the proposed future actions and
77                efforts noted below. 
78 
79            2.  Track efforts to establish a regional source of SAF at a commercially competitive rate
80                and ensure a commitment from the airlines that they will use SAF preferentially to
81                meet goals specified in the Commission's December 19, 2017, motion. 
82 
83            3.  Track  initiatives  to  ensure  cost-competitiveness  for  SAF  through  a  variety  of
84                methods that are not mutually exclusive, and as stated in the December 19, 2017, 
85                motion, include: 
86 

2019 Energy and Sustainability Special Committee Charter                                   Page 2 of 7

87                (a) Work with airlines to support state and federal legislation establishing a cost-
88                    effective Clean Fuel Standard (CFS) consistent with bills, executive orders,
89                    policies, and regulations implemented in the states of California and Oregon and
90                    the province of British Columbia; or similar provision that includes options for
91                    aviation tax credits as well as tax  credits for use of marine and on-road
92                    renewable diesel. 
93 
94                (b) Work with airlines to advocate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA),
95                    federal and state legislators, regulatory agencies, industry groups, and other
96                    partners for use of airport revenues to offset costs of SAF through their co-
97                    benefits to human health and the environment.
98 
99                (c) Work with airlines to advocate to the FAA for new grant programs, or to adjust
100                   existing Voluntary Airport Low Emissions (VALE) grant programs to support SAF
101                   through their co-benefits. 
102 
103               (d) Seek mutual financial investments with the port and its partners  including
104                   identifying potential uses of the $5 million over 5-year SAF Fund that was
105                   established in the 2019 Port of Seattle budget. 
106 
107            4.  Develop outcomes and next steps following the Washington SAF Summit. Continue
108               to engage local, state, and federal decision-makers and interested stakeholders
109               along the value chain including but not limited to: farmers, financiers, bio-refiners,
110               logistics operators, as well as other fuel users such as Washington State Ferries,
111               cruise lines, tug boat operators, other harbor craft, truck operators, fishing boats,
112               the United States Coast Guard, and the Department of Defense. 
113 
114            5.  Review  and   recommend   to  the  commission,  the  Public  Affairs  strategic 
115               communications plan tailored to the commission's SAF goals that positions the Port
116               of Seattle as a leader in the SAF industry locally, nationally, and internationally. 
117 
118            6.  Review and recommend to the commission sustainability certification standards for
119               SAF at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and encourage our airline partners to
120               purchase SAF that meets our shared values. 
121 
122        D.  Environmental Cruise Principle Implementation. Review implementation of Motion
123            2019-02 adopted March 12, 2019, supporting principles for the development of the
124            Port's  cruise  business  and  guiding  engagement  with  prospective  partners  and
125            stakeholders in the operation of existing and potential new cruise facilities. The
126            committee will focus on reviewing implementation of environmental principle number 4 
127            of the motion, which reads as follows: 
128 


2019 Energy and Sustainability Special Committee Charter                                   Page 3 of 7

129                       (4) Incorporate  leading  edge  environmental  stewardship  and
130                          sustainability  practices  and  facilities  that  can  exceed  existing
131                          regulations. 
132 
133                              (a) Set  aggressive  goals  to  minimize  greenhouse  gas
134                                  impacts in operation of ships and terminals to support
135                                  the Port's goals of reducing carbon by 50 percent by
136                                  2030 and the carbon-neutral-by-2050 goal. 
137 
138                              (b) Lead the region and the industry  to minimize air
139                                  emissions,  ensure  water  quality  and  protect  our
140                                  ecosystems,  focusing  on  minimizing  air  and  water
141                                  discharges at dock and underway. 
142 
143                              (c)  Engage  with  key  local  stakeholders  in  support  of
144                                  regional  environmental  priorities  and  initiatives,
145                                  including  considering  recommendations  from  the
146                                  state's Orca Task Force. 
147 
148                              (d) Require  use  of  shore  power  where  feasible  by
149                                  equipped ships and include shore power capabilities at
150                                  the new berth. 
151 
152        E.  Monitor the development of the Seattle Waterfront Clean Energy Strategic Plan. 
153 
154            1.  Review and monitor the development of the planning, scope, and schedule of the
155               port's Waterfront Clean Energy Strategic Plan. 
156 
157            2.  Participate in outreach to the Northwest Seaport Alliance, City of Seattle, and
158               others. 
159 
160            3.  Provide  review,  comments,  and  recommendations  with  partners  on  goals,
161               objectives, and principles for the Port's Waterfront Energy Plan. 
162 
163            4.  Review major milestone achievements and provide comments on progress. 
164 
165        F.  Develop a proposal for Maritime Innovation and Environmental Awards. 
166 
167            1.  Review and recommend to the commission an updated approach to the Port of
168               Seattle's 2020 and future environmental awards. 
169 
170            2.  Support Maritime Blue Maritime Inspiration awards to recognize companies and
171               organizations in Washington that inspire young people through environmental
172               sustainability, technological innovation, and community development. The awards

2019 Energy and Sustainability Special Committee Charter                                   Page 4 of 7

173               are proposed to be given annually at the Maritime Blue summit (estimated for April-
174               May), in conjunction with local maritime partners. 
175 
176    IV. AUTHORITY 
177 
178    In pursuit of its purposes and scope, the committee is not legally authorized to act on behalf of
179    the Port of Seattle Commission, but is authorized to conduct the following activities: 
180 
181        A.  Review and recommend a Sustainable Framework Policy Directive. 
182 
183        B.  Monitor and comment on framework pilot projects. 
184 
185        C.  Review and comment on progress and results of the SAF MOU work, as agreed to in the
186            Airline Signatory Lease and Operating Agreement IV (SAF MOU) in 2018. 
187 
188        D.  Review and recommend a Blue Carbon strategy to the Port of Seattle Commission and
189            monitor progress of the Smith Cove Blue Carbon and habitat pilot project near Terminal
190            91. 
191 
192        E.  Review and recommend a Seattle Waterfront Clean Energy Strategic Plan to to deliver
193            clean energy that is reliable, cost effective, and resilient. 
194 
195        F.  Review and recommend refinements to the environmental awards program for the Port
196            of Seattle. 
197 
198        G.  The  committee  is  authorized to  seek  public  engagement by  way  of  community
199            meetings, workgroups, and testimony as part of regular or special Port of Seattle
200            Commission meetings  as deemed necessary, subject to the applicable rules and
201            procedures for calling such public meetings. 
202 
203        H.  If the committee determines that to meet its responsibilities it needs the independent
204            services of an outside advisor or consultant, it may propose the retention of such
205            advisor or consultant to the commission for approval. 
206 
207    V.  DURATION 
208 
209    The  work of the 2019 Energy and Sustainability Special Committee will  continue  until
210    completion of the outcomes described in its purposes and scope for which the committee is
211    responsible. 
212 
213    VI. RESPONSIBILITY 
214 
215        A.  The role of committee chair(s) shall be to: 
216 

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217            1.  Preside at meetings and serve as committee sponsor(s); 
218 
219            2.  Ensure that the committee addresses the purposes described in this charter; and 
220 
221            3.  Set committee meeting agendas. 
222 
223        B.  The Commission Policy Manager is the committee liaison, and commission specialists
224            will support the work of the committee as assigned. The role of the committee liaison
225            shall be to: 
226 
227            1.  Regularly update the commission on the work of the committee  in memos,
228               individual briefings, and public session. 
229 
230            2.  Support the work of the committee. 
231 
232            3.  Help develop, manage, and distribute meeting materials. 
233 
234            4.  Provide logistical support including procuring meeting rooms, scheduling, creating
235               meeting records, and providing technical assistance. 
236 
237        C.  The Port of Seattle Environment and Sustainability Center of Expertise Senior Director
238            will support the committee as the primary executive staff contact. The role of the
239            executive staff contact shall be to: 
240 
241            1.  Support the committee with timely and responsive information. 
242 
243            2.  Coordinate with other executive staff in support of the committee's work; and 
244 
245            3.  Serve as a resource for committee deliberation. 
246 
247    VII. MEETINGS 
248 
249        A.  The committee  will meet  at least quarterly  and will subsequently report to the
250            commission in public session to provide transparency as to progress made in executing
251            its charter. 
252 
253        B.  Workgroups composed of non-commissioner advisors and subject matter experts may
254            be formed by the committee to provide in-depth analysis of issues for the committee
255            and are expected to meet as frequently as needed. Workgroup meetings are not
256            considered official committee meetings for purposes of establishing a quorum  or
257            management of records by the commission clerk. 
258 
259        C.  A quorum of the committee is required to conduct official committee business. A
260            quorum is defined as the presence of both commissioners assigned to the committee. 

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261 
262        D.  Meetings of the 2019 Energy and Sustainability Special Committee shall be open to the
263            public when required by applicable law or the bylaws of the Port of Seattle Commission. 
264 
265        E.  Agendas will be prepared and made available to the  committee and workgroup
266            members in advance of meetings. 
267 
268        F.  Agendas for updates to the commission to be presented in public session will be
269            published as part of regular or special commission meeting notices. 
270 
271        G.  Minutes will be prepared and retained for all meetings of the committee. 
272 
273        H.  Records of committee meetings, including any meeting minutes, shall be provided to
274            the commission clerk for appropriate retention in accordance with applicable law and
275            best practices. 














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