2014-2015 Environmental Objectives and Targets Results One of the ways the Port of Portland commits to responsible environmental stewardship on a daily basis is by using an Environmental Management System as a framework to continuously and systematically improve our environmental performance. Each year we establish either annual targets or actions in support of multi-year targets to meet our objectives in five program areas. We develop these targets based on recommendations from environmental program managers, staff working throughout our operating areas and other key stakeholders. We use our objectives and targets to set goals, track progress and measure our success. In Fiscal Year 2014-2015, the Port identified 19 environmental targets and actions for staff to achieve over the course of the year. The Port pursued the targets using organization-wide resources and expertise and by teaming up with external partners. The Port is proud to report that we completed 18 of the 19 targets and actions set for fiscal year 2014-15. Air Quality Objective: Minimize impacts to air quality Target: Establish new air quality program targets for future fiscal years as a result of achieving reductions in greenhouse gas and diesel particulate matter emissions ahead of schedule in 2012 and 2013. New targets will be developed by considering action taken by other ports, local air quality conditions, public and internal stakeholder feedback. In addition to upholding the current target for GHG emissions, new AQ targets were developed for diesel particulate matter, lead, and Airport Carbon Accreditation reporting. Progress: This target is 100% complete.
Target: Reduce Port direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions 15% below 1990 baseline levels by 2020. This is a multi-year target. Target: Reduce particulate matter emissions from diesel at Port-controlled operations by 25 percent from 2000 baseline levels by 2015. This is a multi-year target. Action: Replace Navigation Line Scow B22 Dredge support vessel. Action: Replace six conventionally-fueled buses with compressed natural gas (CNG) Buses at PDX. The Port surpassed both targets in FY14-15. Greenhouse gas emissions were 68% below 1990 levels and diesel particulate emissions were 73% below 2000 levels. We achieved emission reductions through clean fuels, cleaner engines, energy efficiency improvements, and through the on-going purchase of renewable energy credits (RECs). Actions from previous years continue to help us acheive these targets. One of two additional actions to further reduce emissions in support of these targets was completed in FY14-15. Six CNG shuttle buses were acquired as planned and put into service at PDX in 2014. However, a planned replacement of a dredge support vessel was canceled due to operational changes, which greatly diminished the vessel s use. As a result, the environmental benefit of replacing the vessel was also greatly reduced. Progress: The multi-year targets are 100% complete. The actions for the targets are 50% complete for FY 14-15. Energy Management Objective: Reduce energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions Target: Reduce Port-wide energy consumption by 20% from 2011 baseline by 2020. The Port established a two year action to complete Portfolio I, beginning with phase 1 audits. Portfolio 1 projects focus on a Terminal Efficiency Improvement Program at PDX and LED lighting efficiency upgrades around the Port. Projects are scheduled to be complete in 2016. Target: Participate in the Energy Trust of Oregon s Strategic Energy Management (SEM) program to improve energy efficiency and conservation. The Port enrolled in SEM program and attended four of the program strategic meetings. The Port participated in numerous Energy Trust workshops and conducted an analysis of the Energy Management program. Results included recommended improvements with established near and long term energy conservation targets. The Port conducted energy management audit walks of the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Facility (ARFF) and PDX Maintenance facilities during specific building assessment workshops that identify opportunities for the mechanical heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and building electrical lighting systems. An Energy Trust of Oregon software tracking tool that allows Port staff to record and analyze energy consumption of several Port facilities was implemented. Monitored facilities include ARFF, Central Utility Plant (CUP), Deicing Treatment Plant, PDX Maintenance Facilities, Terminal 2 and Terminal 4 administration buildings. Progress: This target is 100% complete for FY 14-15.
Target: Continue purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates equal to 100% of Port-wide electricity usage. The Port continued to uphold its commitment to 100% renewable power by purchasing 75,000 RECs last year, equating to about 75 million kwh of energy. This target resulted in the Port s ongoing listing in the Top 10 in the Local Governments category and in the Top 100 at # 72 among 100% Green Power Purchasers under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency s Green Power Partner ranking system. Target: Develop an energy baseline metering, tracking and analysis system for PDX terminal complex and other large Port buildings or systems utility service. This is the third year of a multi-year target. Action: Implement tenant sub-metering activities at PDX to promote conservation, recover costs and improve the accuracy of the Port s emissions inventory. All major marine, general aviation and aviation tenants are being required to include separate metering for their leased area s electrical power, natural gas and water consumption. The Port is in the process of selecting a Port-wide metering system for the 2014 PDX tenant program. Natural Resources Objective: Minimize impacts and seek opportunities to enhance natural resources Target: Begin establishing a native grassland habitat on a 50-acre upland mitigation site at Government Island to include seeding and site monitoring. This target is related to an advanced mitigation project resulting from the Airport Futures planning process. This fiscal year is the start of the second phase of a multi-phase, 25-year management plan for the site. This is the fourth year of a multi-year target. Maintenance and monitoring of the Government Island Grassland Mitigation project is ongoing. Seeding will occur in the fall of 2015. Target: Seek out and fund projects that promote habitat enhancements in the Columbia Slough watershed. This target is a product of the Airport Futures planning process and is the fourth year of a multi-year target. The Slough Enhancement project that was selected for 2015 is the Buffalo Slough Turtle Enhancement project. The project entails installation of large wood in the Buffalo Slough to provide basking structures for turtles, placement of substrate in the upland to provide habitat for turtle nesting and removal of the invasive yellow flag iris providing better upland access for turtles.
Target: Seek out and fund projects that promote tree canopy enhancements in the Columbia Slough watershed. This target is a product of the Airport Futures planning process and is the fourth year of a multi-year target. The Port funded several Friends of Trees neighborhood planting projects and one natural area planting at the Children s Arboretum (1/31/15) with the Airport Futures Canopy Enhancement fund for 2015. The neighborhood planting projects have been funded. They include: Argay, Parkrose, Parkrose Heights, Russell, Sumner, Wilkes on (2/28/15), Concordia, Vernon on (3/14/15), Beaumont-Wilshire, Cully, Roseway (3/28/15). Target: Continue partnership with Friends of Trees by sponsoring and assisting with tree plantings in neighborhoods adjacent to or near Port facilities. The Port funded several Friends of Trees planting projects including a planting at the Jackson Bottoms Wetland Preserve (10/4/14), the Sandy River Delta (11/8/14) and Cathedral Park (2/21/15). The Sandy River Delta Planting was an employee service opportunity that a number of Port staff attended. Target: Establish native vegetation that enhances pollinator habitat at the Vanport Wetlands mitigation site by seeding the site with native floral species, monitoring, and managing invasive species. Pollinator patches have been selected and prepared in order to test a new method that can be used to create large pollinator meadows for less resources and herbicide. Water Resources Objective: Minimize impacts to water resources Target: Install water sub-metering in targeted locations at the Portland International Airport Maintenance facility to identify opportunities for water conservation, reduced labor costs and potential sewer credits. This is the second year of a multi-year target that will retrofit up to six systems annually until all 48 remaining systems have been updated. Three meters were installed at PDX Maintenance and are being monitored monthly. This provides an irrigation sewer credit, reducing water-related costs during the irrigation season. This information will help develop future potential water conservation projects that can be included in the PDX Maintenance master planning process. Progress: The target is 100% complete for FY 14-15. Target: Conduct a pilot project to test a portable water quality biofiltration unit at PDX to determine its effectiveness for treating metals present in stormwater. Two portable media filter units have been designed, built and deployed at PDX. Four separate storm events have been sampled and have shown an approximate 90% reduction in effluent concentrations for total zinc. Progress: The target is 100% complete for FY 14-15.
Waste Minimization Objective: Reduce waste generation and hazardous materials use Target: Achieve 90% or greater landfill waste diversion at Port facilities by June 2018. This is the second year of a multi-year target. The Port identified five specific actions for the second year of the plan: Action: Develop public outreach and/or display materials for the Portland International Airport terminal to educate the flying public about Port waste minimization efforts. Outreach materials and displays to educate the flying public about Port waste minimization efforts have been developed for use with PDX s Earth Day event. Action: Develop waste minimization education materials for Port tenants. Various waste minimization education and outreach materials were developed for and disseminated to HQ and PDX terminal tenants. A dedicated materials manager conducts ongoing outreach, education and assistance to Maintenance and Cargo facilities, and to Port and tenant contractors involved in construction/demolition activities. Action: Promote and expand PDX Food Donation Program to Port tenants outside the airport terminal. PDX s food donation program was promoted to PDX terminal concessionaires and Cascade Station tenants. Food donation and Port waste minimization efforts were also promoted to the flying public via a holiday food donation pilot program. Action: Complete updated waste sorts at Hillsboro and Troutdale airports and develop site-specific waste minimization strategies. A waste assessment to establish/update baselines for Hillsboro Airport and Troutdale Airport was completed and airport-specific waste minimization strategies were developed. Individual waste assessments for new PDX terminal concessionaires were also completed with recommendations developed. Action: Complete waste sorts for the PDX airside and landside tenant waste drop boxes and develop recommendations to eliminate receptacles and/or influence users. A visual waste assessment was completed of the airside and landside tenant drop boxes. Based on this assessment, it was determined that plastic film had the highest diversion potential and a customized plastic film collection station was installed for the area. Awards Port-wide ISO 14001 EMS independent third-party verified certification, November, 2014. From the independent third-party auditors: This EMS is the most comprehensive, advanced and effective to be audited by this audit team with a combined 38 years of experience auditing to the ISO 14001 standard. Top 10 in the Local Governments category and in the Top 100 (at # 72) among 100% Green Power Purchasers under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency s program. Airports Carbon Accreditation program certified Portland International Airport, Hillsboro Airport and Troutdale Airport making them the fourth, fifth and sixth airports in North America to achieve the status. The program provides a framework for airports to commit to reducing carbon emissions from their operations with the ultimate goal of becoming carbon neutral.