Distractions for us. But a good summary of all the Port has on its plate.
- Full Meeting Packet
- Item #11b Memo on 2025 State Legislative Session Review
- Item #11b Presentation on 2025 State Legislative Session Review
The June 24 meeting featured a lengthy briefing on the Port’s view of the 2025 legislative session in Olympia. For airport activists this meeting is mostly important in that it gives people a sense of just how complex the state legislative calendar is – and how many issues the Port takes an interest in.
The Port was not successful in obtaining more funding for Sustainable Aviation Fuel, but not for lack of trying. The entire commercial aviation industry has no plan for reducing emissions besides SAF. We object because these are the same empty promises that led the auto industry down a rabbit hole with ethanol fifty years ago. It will waste billions of dollars and only serve to make the climate worse. It is also money that should be used for community relief.
The Port was successful in its support for $1.8M to fund the CAWG (the state second airport commission). The Commission’s planning meetings in Everett last week were in part to encourage their Port to consider moving some air traffic north to Paine Field. Another complete distraction. Their own reports, and those from the FAA, make it clear that any such developments will only happen after Sea-Tac is over capacity. The Port does not say clearly: this will never reduce air traffic over Sea-Tac. And they should, once and for all.
Port lobbyists tout several million dollars of Climate Commitment Act money for air quality. Other than a small amount of money for local air purifiers, almost none of it concerns us. Another distraction.
They continued to walk back previous comments that they were on board with the state’s removal of $1M in Port Package Update funding. Instead, they are now saying that they will support restoring that $1M funding next year – ignoring the fact that $1M was supposed to be the beginning of an ongoing fund raising effort. Not a one and done.
Additionally, there were more presentations on Port’s programs to promote women and minority contracting (WEMB), and create a safer environment for Orcas and marine life in Puget Sound – something the Commission prioritizes. As a follow up to the Everett meetings, there was also a lengthy presentation on the Port’s economic development in the Snohomish Valley. That is worth scanning to understand just how broad the Port’s interests are in tourism – in fact, the largest tourism funder in the state.