This is a sponsored post from the Port of Seattle
Every year, I reflect on the progress the Port of Seattle makes towards our ambitious environmental and sustainability goals. We are looking for a SEA CHANGE — a fundamental transformation of our aviation and maritime operations, infrastructure, and technology. This journey is not a sprint; it’s a marathon. Becoming the greenest port in North America demands innovation, unwavering commitment, strong partnerships, and an understanding that significant change takes time.
The path towards a greener future is not linear. Unexpected obstacles are inevitable when pushing the boundaries of innovation and seeking solutions that don’t yet exist. Despite hurdles, the Port continues to make significant strides.
Our goal of decarbonizing our own operations by 2040 is within reach. We’re also working with tenants, including cruise lines and airlines, to invest in decarbonization efforts. We are supporting partnerships, studies, policies and pilot projects to develop and transition to clean fuels. This year we met significant milestones in our long-term effort to clean-up contaminated sites. And we continued our Elliott Bay kelp research as well as restoring and monitoring vital shoreline habitats. As we modernize and expand our port infrastructure, we prioritize green building practices and have developed green leasing terms. At our core, we ensure our port operations and infrastructure comply with (or exceed) stringent environmental regulations. I’m proud to share some of our key accomplishments for 2024 recognizing this list represents only a fraction of the Port’s overall environmental programs and investments.
Modeling the way
1. Became the first airport in the nation to use a special cleaning technology that more fully removes foam containing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), commonly referred to as “forever chemicals,” from airport fire trucks and replaced it with new fluorine-free foam
2. Installed shore power at Pier 66, bringing clean electricity to all three cruise berths and, became the first port in the nation to require shore power usage for cruise ships independent of state regulations, starting with the 2027 season
3. Required SEA Airport (SEA) dining and retail tenants to transition to compostable and reusable service ware, reducing thousands of pounds of single-use plastics and food waste
Advancing decarbonization
4. Reduced Port-wide Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% through the purchase of renewable natural gas, while delivering a comprehensive approach to decarbonizing our buildings and facilities
5. Achieved significant milestones in carbon management: Received Level 3 Airport Carbon Accreditation and successfully verified the maritime scope 1 and 2 greenhouse (GHG) inventory through the Climate Registry
6. Secured $3M in federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) dollars to support maritime decarbonization planning work between 2025 and 2027, including efforts to advance use of sustainable maritime fuels in ships and harbor craft electrification
7. Completed the Seattle Waterfront Clean Energy Strategy, which is a first-of-its-kind analysis for the Port and provides a roadmap to upgrade Port and Seattle City Light energy infrastructure to accommodate future waterfront energy loads and maritime decarbonization
Stewarding our land and water
8. Adopted the SEA Land Stewardship Plan and Tree Replacement Standards — formalizing our sustainable planning operations and development at the airport
9. Removed over 40 tons of marine debris from subtidal areas adjacent to Terminal 18 and Terminal 46
10. Installed passive integrated transponder tag array to assist with fish monitoring at the Duwamish River People’s Park and Shoreline Habitat
11. The East Waterway Record of Decision was released by the EPA, culminating decades of planning and work collecting hundreds of sediment, tissue, and water samples; performing health and ecological risk assessments and sediment transport modeling; and developing cleanup actions
12. Completed a successful bench-scale treatability study for soil contaminated with PCBs at the Terminal 25 South site. The study evaluated the effectiveness of soil washing technology as a potential alternative to traditional disposal methods for contaminated soil
13. Port parks and public access areas were recertified as Salmon-Safe through 2029. Conditions included accomplishments for habitat, landscape practices, water use, and stormwater
Supporting sustainable infrastructure and operations
14. Completed the Sustainable Airport Master Plan draft NEPA Environmental Assessment and released for public comment, a major milestone to help airport address forecasted demand
15. Began a new multi-year Part 150 Noise and Land Use Compatibility Study update for SEA Airport, a voluntary Federal Aviation Administration FAA program to document aircraft noise exposure and establish noise abatement and compatible land use programs.
16. Formalized AdaptSea, a port and city effort to address resiliency and future-proofing the waterfront in a unified and smart way
17. Conducted environmental permitting and sustainable design reviews for many large and small SEA and waterfront projects
Engaging our community
18. Launched a Sound Insulation Repair and Replacement Pilot Program to identify the issues involved in the repair and re-insulation for a select set of prioritized homes surrounding SEA
19. Engaged the public through over 50 habitat tours and volunteer events, fostering learning opportunities and environmental stewardship in our communities
20. Released the first comprehensive Port of Seattle Environment and Sustainability Report, increasing transparency and accountability
21. Awarded over $226,000 to community-led organizations with projects that improve the environment in communities around the airport
Through strong partnerships with our tenants, the community, and external organizations, the Port is making significant strides towards a more sustainable future. In 2025 we will continue to work tirelessly with our partners to improve our operations and create the SEA CHANGE we need for a sustainable and healthy future
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