ITEM NO:            9C
DATE OF MEETING: September 24, 2019
Progress Update: Sustainable Project
Framework
Leslie Stanton and Paul Meyer
September 24th, 2019


1

Sustainable Project Framework Overview
Commission directive
Research and key findings
Recommendations
Key policy elements
New procedures
Costs and resource needs
Schedule and implementation plan
Finalizing proposed process and continuing research on emerging issues
2

Commission Directive
Develop a framework that incorporates the following goals (including
Century Agenda) into decision-making processes when evaluating
energy sources and projects for Port operations:
Reduce GHG emissions and increase energy system resilience
Protect public health and the environment
Advance innovation
Leverage partnerships
Support local economic development
Advance race and social justice
Increase transparency for Commission regarding sustainability aspects
of capital projects

3

Findings: Certification Systems



4

Key Policy Elements
Integrate sustainability early in the capital process
Screen projects to focus resources on opportunities
Convene subject matter experts to develop sustainable design
approaches
Share approaches with Commission and public to provide
transparency
Analyze lifecycle benefits and costs in design
Implement sustainability strategies as appropriate
Track progress and recognize achievements of project teams
Key policy elements of the proposed Sustainability Framework can translate into procedures
5

Sustainability Categories
Category
1. Energy
2. Air emissions (includes carbon)
3. Transportation/mobility
4. Water (potable and stormwater)
5. Waste
6. Materials
7. Habitat
8. Resiliency
Evaluate only categories relevant to each project
6

New Procedures
Screen Projects
Tier 1: Smaller projects
Apply standards and specifications
Tier 2: Medium-sized projects
Opportunities for sustainability benefit
Tier 3: Large projects
Full sustainability certification
Project-specific goals as applicable
Piloted screening with list of proposed capital projects and found more than half are Tier 1
7

New Procedures
Conduct Sustainable Project Assessment and Review Committee
(SPARC) meeting
Research and evaluate sustainability options
Draft sustainable design approach
Require evaluation of sustainability costs and benefits in Design
Share with Commission and public
Request for Design Funds: sustainable design approach
Request for Construction: final sustainable design strategy
Implement strategy and track progress
Sustainable project designs to be shared along with requests for approval
8

Example: Sustainable Design Approach
Category                  Example       Expected outcome   Recognition
Strategies
1. Energy                    Dynamic glass          Reduce energy
2. Air: GHG                  Building efficiency      Minimize carbon
3. Transportation/mobility   Signage, amenities      Support employees
4. Water                    Rainwater harvesting   Conserve water and
manage stormwater
5. Materials                  Use low carbon         Reduce embodied carbon
materials

Approach focuses on categories relevant to each project
9

New Tools: Reduce Embodied Carbon


Port has focused on operational carbon, but can begin to focus on embodied carbon
10

New Partnership: EC3 Tool
Calculates embodied carbon for range
of materials
Use to compare among producers and
as specifications in bidding
Send market signals for lower carbon
construction materials

Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator (EC3)
11

Resource and Cost Estimates
2 FTEs (1 maritime, 1 aviation) to support projects
Potential project-related costs depend on size and
complexity
Funding source: integrate into project budgets

Evaluate program through 2020 and review cost estimates
12

Schedule
Q4 2019
Revise Framework according to feedback
Finalize guidance documents
Finalize analyses of pilot projects
Begin testing new procedures on projects as appropriate
(C1, Westside Campus)
Finalize implementation schedule
Implementation and testing begin in early 2020
13