With more than 40 years of conservation programs, a long history of producing clean hydropower and a zero-carbon footprint, City Light strives to be the Nation’s Greenest Utility. In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, here are five ways our utility and customers go green!
1. Weatherizing Homes to Save Energy
For low-income families living in older homes, money could be leaking out of the cracks. To help support these families, we’ve partnered with the Seattle Department of Housing for the HomeWise Weatherization Program which provides free energy efficiency improvements to qualified homes, increasing comfort and saving money. Before we go green, we have to go a little blue with Seahawks super fan Mama Blue! Last year, we helped weatherize our favorite fan’s home. Check out our video featuring the legend herself!
2. Supporting Businesses with Green Up
City Light’s Green Up program gives our customers the opportunity to help grow the renewable energy market in our region, by supporting the businesses who provide that energy. Your participation also supports local renewable energy education and demonstration projects. By simply add $3, $6 or $12 to your bill per month, you can help us create a cleaner, greener world for the next generation. Click here to learn more about Green Up!
3. We Love Hydropower!
Diablo Dam in the Skagit Hydroelectric Project
City Light has generated hydroelectricity for more than 100 years starting with our first facility in Cedar Falls in 1904! Since then, we have expanded our facilities throughout Washington state from the robust Boundary Hydroelectric Project in the northeast to the three power-generating dams of the Skagit Hydroelectric Project nestled under the peaks of the North Cascades National Park. In fact, 91 percent of the power used by City Light customers is generated by hydro.
Did you know that you can even tour our hydroelectric facilities? Click here to learn more!
4. Rebates and Incentives
Regardless of whether you rent or own your home, City Light provides multiple incentives and rebates to keep you and your family energy efficient. City Light offers instant discounts on LED lightbulbs (at participating retailers across our service area) and rebates on appliances including water heaters and heating and cooling systems, just to name a few. Find out more about our energy saving incentives on our Energy Solutions site!
5. Protecting Vital Habitats
Salmon along the banks of the Skagit River
In keeping with our value of environmental stewardship, we are committed to enhancing, protecting and preserving the environment in which we operate. As part of the Puget Sound Chinook Recovery Plan, City Light has purchased nearly 1,200 acres of land near and along crucial watersheds and wetlands to revitalize these habitats to protect Chinook salmon spawning areas
Most properties need some initial work, such as removing invasive species and planting in areas that should have a denser canopy cover. Once the work is complete, nature takes over. Through the acquisition of these critical areas, particularly those that include spawning and rearing habitat, City Light preserves these lands and keeps crucial streams and rivers clean and cool for years to come.
In 2018, City Light, in partnership with the Skagit Land Trust, received a $1.6 million grant to purchase 100 acres to continue this important work. Last month, City Light’s efforts were highlighted by the American Public Power Association. Click here to read the article.
To learn more about City Light’s efforts to go green, visit seattle.gov/light/enviro.