SEATTLE - Solar panels, automatic dimming windows and an innovative food donation program are just some of the accomplishments by 10 winners of the seventh-annual Port of Seattle Green Gateway Environmental Excellence Awards. The awards recognize Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, airlines, cruise lines and business partners who demonstrate leadership in sustainability throughout the Puget Sound region.
The awards are part of the Port’s organization-wide goal to be the most energy-efficient port in North America.
“The Port of Seattle is proud to recognize these businesses that have gone above and beyond in protecting the Earth,” said Tom Albro, Port of Seattle Commission President. “Whether it’s the aircraft at Sea-Tac or the vessels calling our harbor, we aim to be the cleanest and greenest port in the nation.”
Earlier this month, the Port Commission set new, higher goals for the Port to cut its greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030 and be carbon neutral, or carbon negative, by 2050. These new goals join other Port environmental objectives that aim to protect air and water quality, reduce waste, restore habitat, and protect wildlife.
Sea-Tac Airport Award Winners
- Beecher’s Handmade Cheese
- Delta Air Lines
- Des Moines Area Food Bank
- HMSHost (Prime Airport Dining and Retail Operator)
- Ivar’s
Maritime Award Winners
- Carnival Cruise Line
- Celebrity Cruises
- Holland America Line
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- Princess Cruises
Click here to see a detailed description of each award winner.
The Port’s ambitious environmental goals include several focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to climate change. The Port has set a goal to meet all increased energy demands through conservation and renewable energy sources.
Sea-Tac Airport is the nation’s fastest growing large hub airport and has the honor of being North America’s first airport to receive Airport Carbon Accreditation certification for reducing emissions.
The Port is also partnering with Boeing and Alaska Airlines to study what it would take to power every flight leaving Sea-Tac Airport with aviation biofuel.
About Green Gateway Environmental Excellence Awards
Established in 2010, the award program recognizes airport tenants, cruise lines, airlines and/or business partners for outstanding environmental leadership and conservation efforts which contribute to the Port’s Century Agenda goal of reducing our environmental footprint while striving to be the most sustainable port in North America.
About Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Operated by the Port of Seattle, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA, KSEA) is ranked as the 9th busiest U.S. airport, serving nearly 45.7 million passengers and more than 366,000 metric tons of air cargo in 2016. With a regional economic impact of more than $16.3 billion in business revenue, Sea-Tac generates 171,796 jobs (109,924 direct jobs) representing over $2.8 billion in direct earnings and more than $565 million in state and local taxes. Twenty-four airlines serve 83 non-stop domestic and 24 international destinations.
About the Port of Seattle
Founded in 1911, the Port owns and operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, two cruise ship terminals, Fishermen's Terminal -- home of the North Pacific fishing fleet, one grain terminal, a public cargo terminal, four public marinas, and manages a number of real estate assets for financial return and economic advantage.The port’s operations currently help create nearly 200,000 jobs and $7 billion in wages throughout the region. Over the next 20 years, the port’s “Century Agenda” seeks to create an additional 100,000 jobs through economic growth while becoming the nation’s leading green and energy-efficient port. Learn more at www.portseattle.org.
