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News and Updates from Seattle City Light

Superstar Gymnast Linked to City Light

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Last month, gymnast Katelyn Ohashi took the world by storm with her gymnastics routine — a perfect ten! But did you know that the viral sensation has a connection to City Light? Her father Richard Ohashi is an Electrical Service Representative at the South Service Center. A 44-year veteran of the utility, Richard chatted with us about his daughter’s many talents and what the future might hold for her.

The UCLA gymnast has garnered more than 33 million views on YouTube for her floor routine

From Good Morning America to Access Hollywood, what has it been like to see your daughter receive a flurry of national attention?
“It has been an exciting time.  I’m very happy and proud that she is getting recognition for all the hard work she has put in over the years.  She first missed the Olympics when she was at her prime because she was not quite 16 years of age.  She was injured the next time the Olympics came around.”

What has been your proudest moment thus far?
“I am so proud to see the young woman she has become.  Not only for her gymnastic skills, but for her blog ‘Behind the Madness,’ her poetry, her composure during interviews, knowing what she wants to do in life and the role model she is for all the young kids that follow her.”

What advice have you provided to her along the way?
“I just tell her to be herself.”

What’s next for Katelyn?
“Hopefully, ‘Dancing with the Stars’! She plans to intern at Players Tribune in New York this summer after graduation. She also wants to write a couple of books. One of them will be on her poetry. She has also been approached about an autobiography.”

Richard and Katelyn in New York

Thank you, Richard, for chatting with us and congrats on your family’s success. We’ll keep an eye out for Katelyn on “Dancing with the Stars”!

Seattle City (spot)Light: Cintia Luna-Villasana

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Cintia Luna-Villasana will celebrate four-years at Seattle City Light in March. She started on the Talent and Acquisition team, but after three years, transitioned to Power Supply as the Administrative Specialist for Officer Mike Haynes. “I’m better known as Mike’s conscience,” Cintia joked. “I also support Generation Operations and Engineering Director Faz Kasraie. I handle travel requests, training contracts, budget information, HR processes – a variety of things.”

Cintia was born in Wenatchee where she lived until she was about eight years old. “My parents had a business and decided to move to western Washington,” Cintia shared. “They have a Mexican restaurant in Everett, El Pollo Rico. I still help out with bookkeeping on the weekends.” Cintia attended Western Washington University on a full-ride scholarship and received a degree in business administration with a focus in human resources.

In this week’s (spot)Light, Cintia talks about public service and the family vacations that sparked her interest in utilities.

Cintia at Bonneville Powerhouse

“Growing up, my parents took me to Rocky Reach Dam every Easter because it had an egg hunt and real bunnies! I also went there on a school field trip. I remember visiting the fish ladder and viewing area and thinking that it was the greatest place. Ever since then, I’ve always liked generation and developed an interest in utilities.”

“Visiting dams and learning about power is something I enjoy. It was part of my childhood. Whenever people visited, we took them to Rocky Reach. It has a cool visitor’s center and was something neat to see. So, in a way, I grew up with dams. And I’ve kept it up! In 2008, I went to Grand Coulee Dam. That was something since it’s the mightiest hydroelectric plant in the United States. I’ve visited Chief Joseph Dam, Bonneville Dam and on a recent trip to Palm Springs, I toured the windmill farm. It was super interesting and gave me a greater appreciation for hydro. This June, I plan to check out the Hoover Dam. I’ve been to our dams in Boundary, Skagit, Lucky Peak as well as Masonry Dam in Cedar Falls. I’m hoping that one day I can visit BC Hydro – I just need access. If you know someone, let me know!”

“I like to go on road trips – even if it’s just for a day. I’m the person who won’t have anything planned and will spontaneously say ‘Let’s go!’ Depending on the weather, it could be Portland or Vancouver, BC., but honestly, my favorite getaway is Skagit. It’s so close and just beautiful. I also like summer road trips to eastern Washington, particularly Wenatchee because it’s home. I like being away from the city. I’m a country girl at heart.”

“I got into public service because both my brothers are Marines. It’s my way of giving back; we’re all public servants, in a way. One of my brothers is deployed and on his second term, and the other is about to finish his term. I love my parents and am very close to them. I have so much to be thankful for. When my family arrived in the United States, they were apple pickers in Wenatchee and saved money to make their dreams come true. My siblings and I are living our American dream and it’s great for my parents to see.”

Seattle City (spot)Light: David Wyland

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David Wyland has been at City Light for more than four years. As part of the Asset Data Services group, David works within the Technology & Engineering Innovation business unit. “People don’t realize that data is an asset that needs to be managed to support sound decision-making practices at the utility,” David explained. “If the data is weak, decisions based on the data aren’t as strong as they should be. We provide relevant and timely asset information to the right people at the right time. It’s a coordinated effort with many work areas – across various business units – but it’s rewarding when the best decisions are made.”

David is originally from Spokane, but thanks to his father’s service in the Air Force, he’s lived in Japan, Nevada and Oklahoma. He attended school at Gonzaga University where he graduated with a degree in Finance and Economics. He lives in Seattle with his partner of 19 years and together they care for David’s 96-year-old-mother. “My dad passed away nine years ago, but my mom lives with us,” David shared. “She took care of me for 20 years; now it’s my turn!”

In this week’s (spot)Light, David talks about his career path, including his time at City Light.

David with his partner Marc

“The economy wasn’t very strong when I graduated from college. So, I decided to continue my education and pursue an MBA. I was one semester short of completing the program when I received a full-time job offer in Portland. The job was a bill collector for Sears – dialing for dollars. It was a strange choice to make, but it also gave me the opportunity to leave Spokane and experience life in a bigger city. It set me up well for my move to Seattle.”

“I ended up spending 27 years in banking. The stress of climbing the corporate ladder – with all the political infighting – was taking its toll on me. I didn’t like what I was becoming. I left to work for Keiro NW, a non-profit that provides services for elderly Japanese and Asian-Pacific Islanders. I was there for a year and it helped me become grounded again. Since my mother is Japanese it gave me a great chance to see and understand more of my heritage through interactions with the Japanese community. Of course, non-profit work doesn’t pay well, but it allowed for a smooth transition into City Light because as a public utility we are held accountable to the ratepayers in providing a service to the community.”

“I have a weak spot for helping to make our community stronger. Being part of a public utility allows me to officially do so, and it also exposes me to other community-minded coworkers. We recently did a team-building exercise at Mary’s Place, and it was an incredible experience for all of us. We also have our annual ‘I Swear…It’s for the Children’ campaign which benefits Treehouse for Kids. This year, we blew past our $1,000 goal and were able to raise $1,700! Being with coworkers who share a passion for the community is incredibly satisfying and one of the main reasons I enjoy working at City Light.”

City of Seattle shares resources for winter storm

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Photo Credit: AccuWeather

As the winter snow settled across Puget Sound, residents delighted in it and shared fun photos of snowmen, sledding and other activities. But with snow comes the potential of power outages, road closures, extreme temperatures and slick roads — many of which were experienced today. Here at City Light, our crews worked to restore power in neighborhoods across our service territory including Burien, Lake Forest Park and south Seattle.

The City of Seattle has compiled a helpful list of tips that address the cold weather, shelter, safety, roads and other elements affected by our winter conditions. We’ve outlined it for you to reference and share with your families, neighbors and fellow Seattleites!

  • Freezing temperatures put our neighbors living unsheltered at even greater risk, so please help the City get them into safer, warmer places. The City and its regional partners are working 24/7 to help bring people into warmer, safer places. If you are concerned about an individual living unsheltered, or in need, call 2-1-1 a resource line that can help connect an individual to resources. When the 2-1-1 line isn’t open, the 24-hour Crisis Line 866-427-4747 can provide information that the City provides on warming shelters, similar to how they do for sheltering information for people experiencing homelessness. If it is an emergency, contact Seattle Police by calling 9-1-1. SPD has transport vans to take people to warming centers and shelters.
  • SDOT is working 24/7 to keep our roads as safe as possible. Nearly three dozen SDOT crews will continue to treat major streets and thoroughfares throughout the city. SDOT focuses on keeping our busiest streets that are most important for getting to major public institutions such as hospitals and schools and the streets that are most frequently used by police, fire trucks and buses. The map of SDOT’s snow routes is here and the interactive Winter Weather Snow and Ice Service Map is here.
  • Avoid driving if you can. For those who absolutely have to drive, please drive slowly, stick to major arterials that have been cleared, and turn your headlights on. And watch out for pedestrians and kids playing in the snow!
  • Please do not remove street closure signs for any reason – and drivers should also avoid streets that are closed. And people looking for hills to sled should do the same. These streets are closed by SPD for one reason: to keep you safe. Please avoid them.
  • If you see a downed power line, please keep a safe distance (at least 20 feet) and report it to (206) 684-3000. If it appears to be sparking or smoking, call 911. Thanks for your help in spreading the word. Learn more here: http://www.seattle.gov/light/sysstat/whenpowerout.asp.
  • Reduce your risk of a fire by making sure to keep any flammable materials (think fabric, paper, aerosol cans) away from heat sources such as fireplaces and portable and baseboard heaters. Always pay close attention when cooking – kitchen fires are a leading cause of residential fires. Never leave the room when there is an open flame in use.
  • Never use a grill, charcoal, or generator indoors, in garages, or in carports. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be deadly.
  • Seattle Public Utilities’ water crews are on standby and ready to respond to water emergencies like frozen pipes – but they need the public’s help. Protect indoor sink pipes that are against exterior walls by opening under-sink cabinet doors to allow indoor heat to circulate. During severe cold temperatures allow one indoor faucet to slowly drip cold water. Select the faucet that is the farthest from your front door. Do not leave water running in unoccupied buildings. Set your thermostat no lower than 55 degrees day or night (even if you are away). Learn more: http://www.seattle.gov/util/MyServices/DrainageSewer/StormsFlooding/freezingweather/
  • Seattle Public Utilities is closely watching the forecast to determine whether crews can safely handle pickups and is notifying customers of delays. Solid waste collection is dependent on safe road and weather conditions for drivers. Due to challenging road conditions, garbage, recycling, and good-yard waste collection was cancelled on Monday and Friday with most service completed between Tuesday-Thursday. SPU will work on make-up collection as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience while we wait for the next safe collection window.  For more information, please visit: https://atyourservice.seattle.gov/2019/02/06/solid-waste-collection-resumes-feb-6/.

Also, please continue to monitor updates from @OfficeofMayor @seattleDOT @NWSSeattle @wsdot @SeattleParks @SPLBuzz @kcmetrobus  @SoundTransit. 

You can also follow us at @SEACityLight.

Thank you for your cooperation as we work through these winter storms. Stay warm and be safe!

Snow-Related Power Outages Affecting Thousands; Stay Warm and Find Other Shelter As Needed Tonight

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In the wake of snowfall on the morning of Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, Seattle City Light crews have been responding to outages all over the utility’s service area. As of 4 PM on Feb. 4, about 11,000 customers are still without power across 41 separate outage events.

Due to the treacherous road conditions and large number of outages, it could take up to twelve hours to get everyone back into service… And that’s if there aren’t any additional outages.

It’s below freezing and not a good time to be without heat.  If you are uncertain about your ability to stay safe and warm during an outage, please consider finding other shelter somewhere warm nearby.

Here’s what City Light customers can expect as the outage restoration process moves forward through the night.

It’s going to take a while to reach everyone.

After threats to life safety and emergency services are addressed, City Light restores power in the order which will benefit the most customers. That’s why outages that affect thousands are resolved before outages that affect dozens. Once the large outages are remedied, the restoration process moves to medium-sized outages, and so on.

Are you the only person without power in your neighborhood? If so, you won’t be the first stop for a crew in your area. We have over a hundred outages across our service area, and that’s a lot of individual outages to address. Don’t worry, though. Help is on the way.

Here’s a graphic to more fully explain the process.

Working in the dark is more difficult.

City Light crews are used to working in adverse conditions, but it is an inescapable fact that doing line work in low light makes the job more difficult. This is another factor that will contribute to delays as work continues overnight.

You can take steps to keep yourself safe and warm.

Power outages are never welcome occasions, but when they occur during cold winter weather they can go from an inconvenience to a safety hazard all too quickly. Here’s what you can do:

  • Have Your Phone Ready – Cordless phones will not work without electricity. Have a corded or cell phone available. If your cell phone is your primary phone, make sure it is charged and you have a phone charger ready. It’s a good idea to keep external batteries charged too.

 

  • Report the Outage – If you experience an outage, please report it by calling the Seattle City Light Power Outage Hotline at (206) 684-3000. Remember to give us your name, address, phone number and describe any unusual circumstances that could help us identify the problem. You can also visit the Seattle City Light Outage Map to get updates on restoration work, as well as following City Light’s Twitter and Facebook accounts.

 

  • Stay Away from Downed Power Lines – Downed power lines are extremely dangerous. If you come across any downed lines, do not approach or touch anything in contact with the wire as it could be energized and live. If you see a downed power line, call 911 or (206) 684-3000. You can also report downed power lines by sharing it through City Light’s Twitter and Facebook accounts.

 

  • Keep Warm and Bundle Up – Try to retain as much heat as possible. Close windows, curtains, unused fireplace dampers, and have blankets ready to conserve body heat. Cold weather is especially hard on infants, children and the elderly. Dress in several layers of lightweight clothing, covering the head, feet and hands.

 

  • Have Your Emergency Kit/Plan Ready – Prepare an emergency kit if you haven’t already. Some ideas to include are a working flashlight, glow-in-the-dark stick lights, wind-up clock, portable radio, manual can opener and mylar blanket. During a major storm, have a plan for locating family members in case you are not with them. For more information about emergency kits and plans, please visit: www.takewinterbystorm.org.

 

  • Use Hot Water Sparingly – Most hot water tanks will retain heat for up to 24 to 72 hours.

 

  • Close Your Refrigerator/Freezer – Keep your fridge and freezer closed as much as possible. A full refrigerator will maintain safe temperatures for up to six to 10 hours; a full freezer up to 2 days. In most cases, food should be safe if refrigerators and freezers remain closed while the power is out. When in doubt, throw it out.

 

  • Unplug Electrical Appliances – If you experience a prolonged outage, be sure to turn off electrical appliances to prevent fires and equipment damage. Some electrical appliances to consider unplugging before a storm hits are computers and televisions.

 

  • Be Cautious with Generators and Grills – Use generators with care during a power outage and always use portable generators outside in well-ventilated areas. Never plug a generator into your home circuitry. Instead, plug in appliances directly into the outlets on the generator. When it comes to the grill, do not use barbeques indoors.

 

  • Be Fire Safe – Do not use candles as a light source nor any open flame as a heat source.

 

  • Electric Garage Owners – Know how to use the manual override of your electric garage door if your power goes out.

 

  • Remember Your Pets – Household pets such as cats, dogs, fish and birds may require special care. Contact your veterinarian for more information.

 

  • Life-Support Customers – If you rely on electric life-support machines, make sure you have emergency power and know how to operate it. Make sure your system has an alarm to alert you if the power goes out.

Seattle City (spot)Light: Jeanie Ahn

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Jeanie Ahn has been at City Light for two and a half years. She began in financial planning but now works as a Budget Analyst in the budget office where she sets budgets and helps keep groups on track. “I’ve always been a numbers nerd and enjoy numbers and their relationships,” Jeanie said.

True to her word, the Kansas native majored in economics at the University of Washington. While in college, she got a part-time job at Nordstrom and worked there for 19 years, most recently in the company’s budget office.  “I decided to switch over to City Light and take the public route because I was looking for a change and wanted to do something for the community,” Jeanie explained.

In this week’s (spot)Light, read about Jeanie’s love for Taekwondo, teaching and empowering women.

Jeanie in a jumping back kick

“I’ve been doing Taekwondo for about 24 years. When I was a teenager, one of my friends got into trouble and her punishment was to do Taekwondo. I watched her practice and thought it looked cool. I told my parents I wanted to try it and my dad said ‘Absolutely not.’ He saw it as a male sport, so that cemented the fact that I had to do it. We fought about it for three months until he finally caved. The first week was so hard I wanted to quit. I now teach Taekwondo and self-defense classes at my studio in South Seattle. I also practice and teach yoga which is a nice complement to martial arts.”

“My friend looked at my resume years ago and she said, ‘Oh, you’re a teacher!’ I taught piano lessons when I was younger. At Nordstrom, I was the person that trained other people and worked new-store openings. I think, in general, I like teaching. That appeals to me. While numbers are very black and white and methodical, teaching lets me be creative. I can explore my creative side and design a class based on an individual’s skills, needs and focus.”

“Teaching self-defense is really important to me because it empowers other women. Not to say it’s only for women! Men have taken it as well and women do come in with their partners. Our self-defense class was created for a novice person coming in off the street; someone who wants to learn some moves. It’s a two-hour workshop where people learn how to get out of certain grabs, but also, maybe speaking more to the female side, how to attack. I feel that it doesn’t come natural for women to strike. So, we talk about, demonstrate, and practice different ways to attack if you had to defend yourself.”

“One of my favorite parts of this class is how we end it – every person breaks a board! I never tell them that, though. It happens at the end of class, so I wait until the right moment to bring it up it. And everyone does it! I’ve never had anyone who couldn’t do it. Women really underestimate themselves and how strong they are. It’s important to leave on a positive note because it’s kind of a sour reason we’re there to begin with. Women are targeted more. It’s a downer, so it’s important to finish high.”

City Light Completes Electrical Reliability Upgrades in Blue Ridge

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In late 2018, Seattle City Light completed an electrical reliability project in Seattle’s Blue Ridge and North Beach neighborhoods. The work was part of a larger effort to replace an aging electrical system that was installed in the early 1970s.

Pictured: Crews installing underground electrical conduit in the North Beach area.

Construction was shared into two phases over a two year period, starting in 2016. In total, contracted crews installed over 20,000 linear feet of electrical conduit, several electrical vaults and other infrastructure in parts of the Blue Ridge area.

The new infrastructure will provide an enhanced and reliable electrical system for the Blue Ridge and North Beach neighborhoods. Customers can expect shorter restoration times when unplanned power outages occur.

City Light thanks the Blue Ridge and North Beach communities for their patience during this important electrical upgrade. Learn more about this project and others by visiting Seattle City Light’s “At Work in Your Neighborhood” website.

Raising the levels: Seattle City Light’s work to keep the Skagit River communities safe

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Ross Dam

Ross Dam

The Skagit Hydroelectric Project is responsible for more than 30% of the clean electricity produced by Seattle City Light. Situated near the North Cascades National Park Complex, the Skagit Project uses three dams: Gorge, Ross and Diablo and three reservoirs (or lakes) of the same name to maintain the water flow that feeds into the Skagit River.

Every day, City Light’s Power Marketing team, located in downtown Seattle, works with multiple departments and agencies including City Light’s System Control Center and the U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers. During potential upcoming rain events, the team connects with these agencies before, during and after flooding occurs on an hourly basis. This careful monitoring and oversight are mandated by federal, state and local government agencies as well as tribal considerations. These agreements are vital to the survival of threatened species, the protection of the surrounding environment, both public and personal property all along the Skagit River’s course through the surrounding communities of Skagit County.

During the daily staff meeting before a significant weather event is forecasted to strike the region, the team decides when and where to maintain the optimal elevation levels among the three reservoirs strategically. This is done to limit potential flooding contingencies. The decision is dependent on the number of sidestream inflows in the current state and the forecasted impact of incoming rain or snow into the mountain streams and creeks that naturally flow into Skagit’s bodies of water.

Diablo Lake and the Diablo Dam

Ross Lake, the most northern reservoir, is drawn down to absorb the increased water levels from the side streams. Diablo is set up to gather as much side stream as possible while limiting any increase in spill or discharge flow patterns. Gorge Lake, the reservoir that feeds into the Skagit River through the Gorge Dam, can be reduced down 5-10 feet and can serve as the last line of defense for the area. As long as the Skagit projects can limit the impact of discharge and absorb a significant amount of inflow in the process, they hold back that amount of water that would typically compound the flooding downstream of the projects.

The amount of river flow is measured at the town of Concrete. If the river flow reaches a certain cubic foot per second, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can take control of the project to assist in reducing the amount of water flowing downstream.

These measures are a crucial mitigation practice to prevent increased flooding into the Skagit Valley. In November 2017, portions of the Skagit River experienced the highest flood levels the region had seen in more than a decade. The constant rain compounded with the already drenched soil created a significant threat to both property and loss of life.

“What could have happened would have been very likely catastrophic flooding,” U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Senior Water Manager Ken Brettmann said in an interview with Q13 FOX. “[The flooding] would have swamped the towns of Mount Vernon and Burlington.”

Because of precise planning and the proactive systems in place, City Light mitigated the flood risk, easing the burden of the other dams while maintaining the flood levels downstream.

City Light was lauded by for their decisive actions as the flooding downstream in Lyman and Mount Vernon was approaching historic levels.

This measure also plays a vital role in City Light’s efforts to protect the threatened chinook and steelhead spawn populations across the Skagit Watershed. Power Marketing works closely with members of City Light’s Environmental, Land and Licensing team to adjust the amount of river flow to align with the life stages of the spawning salmon from incubation to their journey back downstream.

Salmon along the banks of the Skagit River

While this is only a facet of the work of City Light’s Power Marketing team, its impact radiates throughout the Skagit River and beyond.

“It is City Light’s mandate to safeguard the ecosystem and communities, including Marblemount and Concrete from rising water levels” explains John Clarke, Chief Power Marketer/Power Operations and Marketing Manager.

“The uniqueness and unsurpassed beauty of the Skagit River Basin demands an unprecedented level of commitment on the part of all Seattle City Light’s employees. A responsibility gladly shared by those who serve, understand, and are firmly bound as stewards to such an important natural resource.”

Seattle City Light Named 2019 Tree Line USA by Arbor Day Foundation

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Nebraska City, Neb. January 23, 2019– The Arbor Day Foundation has named Seattle City Light a 2019 Tree Line USA in honor of its commitment to proper tree pruning, planting and care in the provider’s service area.

Tree Line USA, a partnership between the Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters, recognizes public and private utilities for pursuing practices that protect and enhance America’s urban trees. Tree Line USA promotes the dual goals of delivering safe and reliable electricity while maintaining healthy community forests.

“Trees are a critical part of urban landscapes all across the United States,” said Dan Lambe, president of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Service providers like Seattle City Light demonstrate that it’s possible for trees and utilities to co-exist for the benefit of communities and citizens.”

Seattle City Light achieved Tree Line USA by meeting five program standards. Utilities must follow industry standards for quality tree care; provide annual worker training in best tree-care practices; sponsor a tree-planting and public education program; maintain a tree-based energy conservation program; and participate in an Arbor Day celebration.

City Light’s Arboriculturists with SDOT Urban Forestry and volunteers at a 2018 Community Tree Planting event in Beacon Hill.

More information about Tree Line USA can be found at www.arborday.org/TreeLineUSA.

About Arbor Day Foundation: The Arbor Day Foundation is a million member nonprofit conservation and education organization with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at arborday.org.

For more information contact:
Danny Cohn
dcohn@arborday.org
402-473-9563

Scam Activity is Ramping Up; Protect Yourself from Fraud.

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In the last two days, City Light has received over 30 reports of scammers attempting to defraud customers over the phone. Even worse, today we heard from a customer that someone claiming to represent City Light showed up on their doorstep demanding a payment.

Typically, scammers will demand financial and personal information in addition to payment with a pre-paid credit card, threatening customers with a shutoff of service. This isn’t how City Light does business.

Seattle City Light will never call, email or visit customers demanding immediate payment to avoid shutoffs. Anyone who falls behind on payments will receive at least two written notifications before the shutoff process starts.

If someone calls you demanding payment for a City Light bill, that person is a scammer. Hang up on them right away and call our Customer Care Center to report it at 206.684.3000.

If someone claiming to be from City Light approaches you at home and asks for personal or financial information, requests to enter your home, or cannot provide you with employee identification, immediately shut your door, secure your home and call 911. City Light employees will never need to enter your home to collect a bill or conduct any sort of test.

To learn more about how you can end scams, please visit: www.seattle.gov/light/EndScams.