Item Number:   8a_attach_2 
Meeting Date:   February 11, 2020 
1                                          RESOLUTION 3770 EXHIBIT B 
2                                        PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION 
3                                         ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY 
4                                       STANDING COMMITTEE CHARTER 
5 
6                                             Proposed February 11, 2020 
7 
8     I.   INTRODUCTION 
9 
10    The Energy and Sustainability Committee, herein referred to as "the committee," is a standing 
11    committee created by the Port of Seattle Commission. The committee will provide information,
12    advice, and recommendations about programs and policies as described below. 
13 
14    The Port of Seattle's Century Agenda outlines a strategic objective to become the greenest and
15    most energy efficient port in North America and sets specific greenhouse gas reduction targets.
16    The   Energy   and   Sustainability   Committee   shall   provide   information,   advice,   and
17    recommendations to inform commission policy development in pursuit of the port's Century
18    Agenda environmental and sustainability goals. The committee shall conduct its work in the
19    context  of  other  Century  Agenda  goals,  and  continue the port's  commitment  to  fiscal
20    responsibility, social equity, and environmental justice. 
21 
22    This charter defines the composition, authority, mission, scope, responsibility, and meeting
23    structure of this committee. 
24 
25    II.  COMPOSITION 
26 
27    The committee will consist of two Port of Seattle commissioners appointed by the commission
28    president after consultation with the commission at the beginning of each calendar year in which
29    the committee is active. 
30 
31    III. SCOPE OF WORK 
32 
33        A.  The work of the Energy and Sustainability Standing Committee primary responsibility is
34    to develop policy recommendations and monitor implementation of the Century Agenda's
35    environmental and sustainability goals including "be the greenest and most energy-efficient port
36    in North America" and "meet all increased energy needs through conservation and renewable
37    sources." The work of the committee will include the following: 
38 
39        B.  Develop and provide recommendations to the commission on policies, programs and
40    strategies that advance the Port of Seattle's reduction and mitigation goals for port Century
41    Agenda greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals. 
42 


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43        C.  Monitor the implementation of the Sustainable Evaluation Framework Policy Directive 
44    and review Sustainable Design Strategies as designated in the Sustainable Evaluation Framework
45    Policy Directive. 
46 
47        D.  Monitor the development and implementation of the Sustainable Aviation Fuels strategy 
48    and implementation, including the statewide implementation of a Clean Fuel Standard to support
49    regional market development for Sustainable Aviation Fuels. 
50 
51        E.  Monitor the development and implementation of the Port of Seattle Waterfront Clean
52    Energy Strategic Plan.
53 
54        F.  Monitor the development and implementation of the cruise environmental principle as
55    passed in Motion 2019-02: 
56 
57            "Incorporateleading edge environmental stewardship and sustainability practices and
58            facilities that can exceed existing regulations. 
59 
60            a)  Set aggressive goals to minimize greenhouse gas impacts in operation of ships and
61                terminals to support the Port's goals of reducing carbon by 50 percent by 2030 and
62                the carbon-neutral-by-2050 goal. 
63 
64            b)  Lead the region and the industry to minimize air emissions, ensure water quality and
65                protect our ecosystems, focusing on minimizing air and water discharges at dock and
66                underway. 
67 
68            c)  Engage with key local stakeholders in support of regional environmental priorities and
69                initiatives, including considering recommendations from the state's Orca Task Force. 
70 
71            d)  Require use of shore power where feasible by equipped ships and include shore
72                power capabilities at the new berth." 
73 
74        G.  Review and recommend to the Port of Seattle Commission pilot projects and research
75    opportunities to develop commission policy directives. 
76 
77    IV. AUTHORITY 
78 
79    In pursuit of its mission and scope, the committee is not legally authorized to act on behalf of the
80    Port of Seattle Commission, but is authorized to conduct the following activities: 
81 
82        A. Gather information, consider matters within the committee's scope of work, and provide
83    information, advice, and recommendations to the Port of Seattle Commission. 
84 
85        B.  Communicate to the public the priorities of the Port of Seattle Commission. 

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86 
87        C.  Engage in outreach efforts and activities to gather information to provide to the Port of
88    Seattle Commission. 
89 
90        D.  If the committee determines that to meet its responsibilities it needs the independent
91    services of an outside advisor or consultant with expertise in areas relevant to the responsibilities
92    of the committee, it may propose the retention of such advisor or consultant to the commission
93    for approval. 
94 
95    V.  DURATION 
96 
97    The Energy and Sustainability Committee is standing committee with broad purview over matters
98    related to environmental and sustainability issues and will continue indefinitely until the
99    commission repeals its charter. 
100 
101    VI. RESPONSIBILITY 
102 
103        A.  The role of the committee chair(s) shall be to: 
104 
105            1.  Preside at meetings and serve as committee sponsor(s); 
106 
107            2.  Ensure that the committee addresses the purposes described in this charter; and 
108 
109            3.  Set committee meeting agendas. 
110 
111        B.  The Commission Policy Manager is the committee liaison, and commission specialists will
112    support the work of the committee as assigned. The role of the committee liaison shall be to: 
113 
114            1.  Regularly update the commission on the work of the committee in memos, individual
115                briefings, and public session;
116 
117            2.  Support the work of the committee; 
118 
119            3.  Help develop, manage, and distribute meeting materials; 
120 
121            4.  Provide logistical support including procuring meeting rooms, scheduling, creating 
122                meeting records, and providing technical assistance; and 
123 
124            5.  Coordinate with the primary executive staff contact to keep the Executive Director
125                informed about committee progress. 
126 
127        C.  The Port of Seattle Senior Director, Engineering, Environment and Sustainability will
128    support the committee as the primary executive staff contact. The role of the executive staff
129    contact shall be to: 

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130 
131            1.  Inform the Executive Director about committee progress; 
132 
133            2.  Support the committee with timely and responsive information; 
134 
135            3.  Coordinate with other executive staff in support of the committee's work; and 
136 
137            4.  Serve as a resource for committee deliberation. 
138 
139    VII. MEETINGS 
140 
141        A.  The committee will meet at least quarterly and will report to the commission in public
142    session to provide transparency as to progress made in executing its charter. 
143 
144        B.  Workgroups composed of non-commissioner advisors and subject matter experts may be
145    formed by the committee to provide in-depth analysis of issues for the committee and are
146    expected to meet as frequently as needed. Workgroup meetings are not considered official
147    committee meetings for purposes of establishing a quorum or management of records by the
148    commission clerk. 
149 
150        C.  A quorum of the committee is required to conduct official committee business. A quorum
151    is defined as the presence of both commissioners assigned to the committee. 
152 
153        D.  Meetings of the Energy and Sustainability Committee shall be open to the public when
154    required by applicable law or the bylaws of the Port of Seattle Commission. 
155 
156        E.  Agendas will be prepared and made available to committee members in advance of
157    meetings. 
158 
159        F.  Agendas for updates to the commission to be presented in public session will be published 
160    as part of regular or special commission meeting notices. 
161 
162        G.  Minutes will be prepared and retained for all meetings of the committee. 
163 
164        H.  Records of committee meetings, including any meeting minutes, shall be provided to the
165    commission clerk for appropriate retention in accordance with applicable law and best practices. 




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