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Feel-Good Green Features of the New North Satellite

June 29, 2021

None of us living in the Pacific Northwest take our beautiful environment for granted, so we all work hard at recycling, refilling our water bottles, and protecting the environment. At SEA, you may have noticed that our favorite color is green.

In the quest to be the greenest and most energy-efficient port in North America, the Port has actively embraced green building techniques. With the renovation of the 1970s North Satellite, new green features are rolling out as we type.

From harvesting rainwater to heating the facility with renewable natural gas (RNG), these green features will help the building achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. And, the North Satellite Modernization project is currently tracking towards a LEED Silver certification.

While you’re traveling through the new North Satellite, look around to see if you can spot some of these great green features.

Rainwater collection

North Satellite new restroom interior — The toilets in the North Satellite restrooms flush rainwater collected from the building’s roof. Based on expected rainfall and flush demand, this will save an estimated 2.8 million gallons of potable water a year! That’s equal to 4.5 Olympic swimming pools.

Responsible lumber

North Satellite south gates with roof — The ceiling is made from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified beechwood and sourced from responsibly managed forests.

Learn about FSC certification

Efficient lighting

North Satellite train station level with efficient lighting — Energy-efficient LED lighting used across the facility will save approximately 1.7 million kW annually — about the annual energy consumption of 170 homes.

Construction material recycling

Excess electrical wiring from North Satellite construction — Nearly $21 million of recycled materials have been used on the project, from structural steel and concrete to plywood and carpeting. And, 76 percent of construction waste has been tracked and diverted from landfills, totaling 20,000 tons. If a blue whale, the largest animal on earth, weighs about 200 tons, the diverted waste equals about 100 blue whales!

Renewable natural gas

The boiler and cooling facility for SEA airport — SEA is the first airport to use RNG for heating the building. RNG is a low-carbon alternative produced most often from landfill waste, which means no new carbon emissions because it replaces fossil fuels and recycles existing carbon in the atmosphere. The boiler room at SEA (pictured above) is where RNG is now heating 55 percent of the airport's terminal.

Learn more about RNG

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