Sustainability Reporting

December 2024 news: We are excited to share our 2023/2024 Sustainability Report! 

The Port of Bellingham has a long history of projects and programs that demonstrate its commitment to environmental and community stewardship, resiliency in the face of climate change and being responsible stewards of public assets. Here is a timeline of a few examples:

2003 Began $4.1M cleanup of Weldcraft Steel and Marine Boatyard. 

2005 Acquired 137-acre Georgia-Pacific West property. 

2012 Earned EnviroStars certification for the Bellingham Cruise Terminal, Squalicum Harbor, and Blaine Harbor.

2013 Released the Sustainable Strategies Report 

2015 Worked with the city of Bellingham to complete the New Waterfront Trail connecting Squalicum Harbor Trail to the former Georgia-Pacific Aeration Stabilization Basin breakwater. 

2015 Removed the digester and chipper buildings from the Georgia-Pacific property and reused or recycled over 95% of the building materials on-site. 

2016 Completed cleanup at the 38-acre Georgia-Pacific Pulp and Tissue Mill Area, site of the pump track and Portal Container Village.

2016 Sold two acres and a 48,000 sq ft warehouse to solar panel manufacturer Itek Energy (now Silfab Solar).  

2016 Completed a $35M Phase 1 cleanup of Whatcom Waterway.

2017 Built a 57,000 sq ft manufacturing facility for All American Marine, maker of North America’s first hydrogen fuel cell-powered commercial vessel. 

2018 Installed four-pipe, low-carbon District Energy heating and cooling system in Waterfront District.

2019 Opened the bike pump track to expand recreational opportunities at the Bellingham waterfront.

2020 Signed an Infrastructure Agreement with Corix DE Systems to design, build, finance, and manage the planned Bellingham District Energy Utility system to serve residential and commercial customers.

2021 Opened the Portal Container Village on W Laurel St, expanding economic opportunities at the Bellingham waterfront.

2021 Installed 336-panel solar array at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal.

2021 Committed to 100% renewable energy procurement with Puget Sound Energy’s Green Direct program.

2022 Began collaboration with Sustainable Connections to reduce waste at the Portal Container Village. 

2022 Completed clean-up of the Georgia-Pacific Lignin Operable Unit, site of Millworks Family Housing.

2024 Adopted the Port’s Climate Action Strategy.

2023 Maintenance Shop and Yard Sea Level Rise Study Completed. Assesses the impact of sea level rise and storm surge on the maintenance shop and yard.

2023 Sea Level Rise Viewer Launched. Based on the U.S. Geologic Survey Coastal Storm Model, visualizes potential impacts of sea level rise on Port properties.

August 2023 Climate Action Strategy Adopted. Sets the framework for climate mitigation and resilience at the Port.

2024 Recreation, Conservation, and Public Access Plan Updated. Guides development of the Port’s open spaces and recreational facilities.

2024 Climate Action Strategy integrated into the Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor Improvements. Aligns Climate Action Strategy goals with broader planning efforts and Port investments.

At the end of 2024, the Port released its updated 2023-2024 Sustainability Report. 

If you'd like more information, please email the Sustainability Program Manager Adrienne Douglass-Scott at AdrienneD@PortofBellingham.com