Port of Olympia Completes Greenhouse Gas Inventory

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Submitted by the Port of Olympia

As part of its continuing focus on sustainability, the Port of Olympia has completed a baseline inventory of greenhouse gas emissions generated by Port activities at its downtown and airport facilities.  The inventory, compiled per the Washington State Department of Ecology protocol, reveals the Port has a relatively minimal carbon footprint.  As of 2015, Port activities were estimated to generate approximately 467 metric tons of Scope 1 carbon dioxide (MT CO2e) per year (the equivalent of approximately 19 American families). Under the State Agencies Climate Leadership Act, Washington State only requires annual monitoring and reporting for entities generating in excess of 10,000 MT CO2e per year.

The Port’s inventory examines both “Scope 1” and “Scope 2” emissions.  Scope 1 emissions generally include energy “outputs” from equipment like boats, trucks and cars.  Scope 2 emissions, not required to be monitored or reported under the State Agencies Climate Leadership Act, include energy “inputs” or energy used by structures and buildings.  The recent study shows some Port emissions are slightly up since a preliminary, limited-scope study was conducted in 2013.  The report author, Pioneer Technologies Corporation, attributes this to a rebounding economy.

According to Port Executive Ed Galligan, completing the greenhouse gas inventory is just the first step in a longer process to make the Port of Olympia one of the greenest Port’s in the country.  “Our Commissioners have emphasized environmental sustainability as a core value, and they’ve directed staff to develop and execute projects and policies that put that value into action,” he says.

With baseline data in-hand, the Port, while not required to monitor or report, will identify opportunities to further reduce its carbon footprint. The Port has already begun to identify opportunities to increase its overall sustainability. Prior examples include the installation of solar panels at the Marine Terminal warehouse, conversion to energy-efficient cargo yard lighting, adoption of a stormwater management program and stormwater pollution prevention plan.

For information about Inventory, including presentations and reports, visit the Port’s website at http://www.portolympia.com/112/Environment.

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