The Port of Seattle is working to reduce air emissions as part of regional efforts to ensure compliance with air quality standards and to respond to community concerns regarding air emissions from airport operations.  To that end, the Port of Seattle is implementing an alternative fuels program.  The intent of this program is to convert Port vehicles to those that use alternative fuels, such as compressed natural gas, throughout Port of Seattle facilities, including Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac ) has taken a leadership role by adopting a policy that requires the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles and equipment.  The Port's fleet consists of natural gas powered Ford Crown Victorias, Ford cargo and passenger vans and Honda Civics.  These vehicles are in service throughout airport operations, including police, fire and security departments. The Port also operates 16 natural gas New Flyer buses for airport employee transportation and 2 natural gas Elgin Street Sweepers for use on the airfield and ramp areas. 

Sea-Tac Airport is also working with airport tenants and operators to expand the use of alternative fuel vehicles throughout the airport environment.  This includes passenger shuttle services, hotel and parking lot shuttle operators, taxi companies and airlines. In 2003, the Port of Seattle signed contracts with Shuttle Express and STITA requiring the passenger shuttle and taxi organizations to use natural gas vehicles.  In addition, the Port of Seattle will be asking its business partners, contractors and surrounding communities to consider similar alternative fuel vehicle programs.

A significant step in the implementation of this policy is the development of alternative fuel vehicle refueling infrastructure.  The Port of Seattle partnered with ENRG Fuels USA, Inc. (now known as Clean Energy Fuels Corporation) to develop, operate, and maintain a compressed natural gas fuel facility near SeaTac Airport. The facility opened in October 2002 on the west side of 28^th Avenue South, just  south of the former Angle Lake Elementary School.  This facility provides a retail operation conveniently located for natural gas refueling for all Port and tenant vehicles, as well as other natural gas vehicle users throughout the region. Regional users of compressed natural gas include Pierce Transit, Puget Sound Energy, Cities of Seattle and Kirkland, King County, as well as other government and private entities.

In adopting an alternative fuel vehicle policy, the Port of Seattle joins numerous other airport operators in taking the lead to address regional air pollution.  Similar efforts have been undertaken by airports in Portland, Salt Lake, Boston Logan, Baltimore/Washington, Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Philadelphia, Denver, Los Angeles, San Jose, San Francisco and Sacramento, as well as many others.