Agenda Item: 11a_attach1
www.portseattle.org                                                              Meeting Date: January 9, 2024

2023 PORT FEDERAL PRIORITIES
The Port of Seattle is committed to creating a successful, safe, and healthy travel and trade experience, and to serving as a key
contributor to regional and statewide economic growth. We are focused on developing more modern, high-tech facilities; better
connecting the Puget Sound region to the world; maximizing the environmental sustainability of our operations; and ensuring
that our local communities and residents thrive. The federal government can help us achieve this vision by:
1. INFRASTRUCTURE & TRANSPORTATION        » Support Terminal 46 planning
Sufficient Infrastructure and Transportation Funding:             »  Support TSA efforts to expand PreCheck, as well as
Ensure that the Port and its partners have the resources                additional technology solutions that maximize security
necessary to develop new infrastructure that supports the             and efficiency
successful operations of our facilities, regional mobility, and         »  Preserve TSA funding for Law Enforcement Officer (LEO)
water-based navigation systems. In particular:                          reimbursement grants
»  Support Port grant applications for key infrastructure and       »  Improve UAS integration and detection
transportation systems
»  Support UAM/AAM integration into the National Airspace
»  Maximize Harbor Maintenance Tax appropriations                 System
for the “donor port” HMT rebate program, and secure
implementation of the HMT reform provisions that were        »  Support the Jones Act
included the Water Resources Development Act of 2020
»  Increase Passenger Facility Charge flexibility                   2. DECARBONIZATION & SUSTAINABILITY
»  Move forward on Army Corps projects, such as                 Expanded Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Deployment:
design of the West Waterway portion of the Seattle            Continue important progress toward the implementation of
Harbor Navigation Improvement Project, and design          robust SAF production and use. In particular:
and construction of the Tacoma Harbor Navigation             »  Support Port and regional partner grant applications for
Improvement Project                                         key SAF infrastructure
»  Support funding for continued federal operation and           »  Ensure clarity and authority for airports to use airport
maintenance of the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, as well as         revenue and federal grant funding to support fuel
additional funding for priority, non-routine maintenance          switching, including support for the air quality and
»  Support flexibility in Buy America and other domestic              carbon reduction benefits of SAF
preference requirements until US manufacturers can           »  Fully fund federal SAF investments from agencies
achieve the scale needed to meet federal requirements            including the U.S. Departments of Defense (DoD),
for port equipment, including zero-emissions equipment          Agriculture, Energy (DOE) and Transportation (DOT)
»  Support funding for sustainable transportation                 »  Advocate for Joint Base Lewis-McChord to be selected
options, including electric vehicle infrastructure, transit             for the SAF pilot included in the last National Defense
infrastructure and operations, and high-speed rail                  Authorization Act
funding
Maritime Decarbonization: Continue progress toward
Efficient and Safe Port Operations:Ensure sufficient federal         electrification and decarbonatization of maritime operations
staffing and other resources to allow for travelers, goods, and
and infrastructure. In particular:
workers to operate successfully and safely at Port facilities. In
particular:                                                             »  Support Port and regional partner grant applications for
key maritime decarbonization investments
»  Expedite the transition to non-fluorinated airfield firefighting
foams                                               »  Support the develop of partnerships with key federal
»  Maximize TSA and CBP staffing                                    agencies such as State, DOE, DOT and MARAD to support
the development of green corridors
»  Limit federal requests for Port funding for federal
services, equipment, and facility development

          »   Support Port efforts to help shape international maritime
decarbonization policy, such as at the International            Other Equity-Related Policies: Support new policies and
Maritime Organization                                     regulations that are aligned with the Port’s equity, diversity,
»   Support additional federal funding for port-specific            and inclusion priorities. In particular:
hydrogen and clean marine fuel infrastructure                 »   Support federal legislation on biometric technology that
»   Fully fund the US Environmental Protection Agency’s               balances operational needs with protections for privacy,
DERA program                                          equity, and civil liberties
»   Support efforts to location a United States Center for            »   Support funding and partnerships to facilitate the Port’s
Maritime Innovation in Washington                              efforts to combat human trafficking
»   Support policing reforms that align with the Port’s
Puget Sound Restoration: Continue to invest in efforts to              policing accountability assessment recommendations
restore the Puget Sound, and to facilitate the recovery of            »   Address barriers to increased Port spending on
Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW). In particular:                  community initiatives
»   Invest in Puget Sound restoration through existing              »   Support local grant applications for “Reconnecting
programs                                                Communities” funding
»   Support Port and regional partner grant applications
for key remediation and underwater noise reduction          4. TRADE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT &
investments                                             WORKFORCE
»   Fully staff federal environmental permitting offices             Competitive Trade Policies: Advocate for productive
»   Expedite federal environmental permitting processes,          engagement and negotiations that ensure a fair and level
including implementation of new rules that allow Ports        playing field for mutually beneficial trade. In particular:
to support these efforts                                         »   Promote trade and lower non-tariff barriers
»   Support SRKW recovery through investments in key             »   Re-evaluate existing tariffs
programs                                             »  Support new trade opportunities
»   Oppose changes by the National Marine Fisheries
Service to the process for permitting projects until they        Economic & Workforce Development: Invest in job creation
are approved through an act of Congress or a formal          and training to ensure widespread prosperity for all of the
rulemaking process                                        region’s residents. In particular:
»   Invest in kelp and kelp research                                   »   Support Port and regional partner grant applications for
key economic and workforce development investments
3. COMMUNITY & EQUITY                      »  Support key pieces of legislation that advance
Welcoming Immigration Policies: Support changes that              the offshore wind industry, particularly to create
create a welcoming environment for visitors, immigrants, and          opportunities for the Pacific Northwest to become a
refugees into our country. In particular:                                  leader in OSW manufacturing, assembly, deployment,
and maintenance for BOEM-identified projects
»   Promote comprehensive immigration reform
»   Support quality of job improvements for drayage drivers
»   Support efforts to fully prepare for REAL ID transition
»   Support the North Pacific fishing fleet
»   Make DACA permanent 
»   Promote tourism
Sound Insulation Funding and Aircraft Noise and Emissions
Policies: Support additional investments in sound insulation
for home and other buildings near airports, and implement            For more information on the Port of Seattle’s 
policies that address aircraft noise and emissions. In                     federal legislative agenda, contact:
particular:
»   Support Port grant applications for additional sound                Eric Schinfeld, Port of Seattle
insulation investments                                           Senior Manager Federal & Int’l Gov’t Relations
(206) 787-5031 | [email protected]
»   Advocate for changes to federal policies, regulations, and
programs that align with local community priorities – as
identified by the SEA Stakeholder Advisory Round Table                                    P.O. Box 1209
(StART)                                                                                Seattle, WA 98111
»   Support additional research and funding to address                                            (206) 787-3000
www.portseattle.org
indoor air quality near airports, specifically in public
schools