Port and county outline microgrid, fuel reserve and air service efforts; request county collaboration
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Summary
Port staff updated commissioners on collaborative resilience projects including a potential airport microgrid and strategic fuel reserve, and said the port will pursue essential air service and capital projects. They asked for county coordination on fuel storage, emergency distribution and funding options.
Port staff briefed the joint meeting on collaborative projects intended to bolster county resilience, including plans to expand an airport microgrid, study a strategic fuel reserve and pursue essential air service.
Paul (port staff) summarized a multi‑year capital planning window that includes five highlighted capital projects and a roughly $170 million planning horizon for port investments. He described efforts to pursue essential air service, saying recent federal reauthorization changes improved mileage guidance and passenger reimbursement rates and that the port is working with a small‑carrier assistance grant to support a potential two‑flight daily service with phased ridership growth.
Todd (port staff) described strategic fuel reserve options and said planners are considering above‑ground fuel storage sited at secure locations countywide with capacity estimates “about 200,000 gallons of capacity for diesel and automobile gas.” He said the port is exploring rotation models in which a commercial partner or local agencies draw from and replenish the stock so fuel does not sit beyond usable shelf life. The port noted examples of collaborative fuel arrangements in other counties and requested county interest in joint planning and applications for funding.
Speakers raised related resilience issues: rotating and securing diesel stock, coordinating fuel distribution during emergencies, ensuring Internet redundancy for critical facilities and involving utility partners (PUD, WSDOT) and healthcare partners in planning. County staff said replacement of some existing county fuel tanks is already planned and that joint applications and co‑location strategies could be pursued. Port and county officials agreed to continue coordination and to scope needs (usage patterns, storage locations, partner roles) for potential joint funding applications.
Where things stand: the port has active planning work underway (microgrid, fuel reserve feasibility and air service outreach) and seeks county coordination on usage, funding and operational arrangements before making large capital commitments.