City Light’s Hydroelectric Legacy
Seattle City Light’s mission is to deliver affordable, reliable and environmentally responsible electricity services to you, our customer. This mission includes a dedication to environmental stewardship to enhance, protect and preserve the environments in which we operate. As we strive to be the nation’s greenest utility, we continue to look for new efficient means to operate while improving our key source of power generation: hydroelectricity. In fact, 91% of City Light’s power used by Seattle residents is generated by hydro.
City Light’s hydroelectric projects span across Washington state. Nestled in the northeastern corner of the state, the Boundary Hydroelectric Project is the largest producer of hydropower for City Light with a capacity of 1,117.4MW, more than half of City Light’s hydro. The total combined generation capacity of the City Light’s hydroelectric plants is 1,850MW.
In 2003, the Skagit Hydroelectric Project, located northeast of Seattle in North Cascades National Park Complex, was the first large hydroelectric facility in the nation to be certified as a Low Impact Hydropower Project by the Low Impact Hydropower Institute, an independent non-profit organization that certifies environmentally responsible, low impact hydro projects.
Did you know that you can actually tour City Light’s Skagit Hydroelectric Project? Whether it’s your first time or you haven’t visited in a while, a road trip to the majestic North Cascades and emerald waters is a must! Skagit Tours offer spectacular scenery in one of the nation’s most picturesque parks. We offer four excursions, including the Diablo Lake and Lunch tour that features a cruise of the glacier-fed waters of Diablo Lake. The Dam Good Chicken Dinner and Ladder Creek Falls by Night tours serve tradition on a platter with our famous chicken dinner—a classic dish that dates back to the 1930s. All tours showcase your utility’s longstanding dedication to our hydropower legacy. Start your relaxing adventure today at skagittours.com or call (360) 854-2589.
Click here to read the complete version of this story.
Kitchen Savings
Cooking at home can be a way to save money, but there are ways to save even more by being energy efficient in the kitchen! We’ve cooked up a few tips to save energy and money while making your next meal:
- Look for alternative methods to cook your favorite recipe. Check out our 2018 Cookin’ with Kilowatts Cookbook for a few of our favorite energy-efficient recipes at energysolutions.seattle.gov/cwk.
- Boiling water? Cover the kettle or pan or electric kettle.
- A microwave takes 15 minutes to do the same job as 1 hour in an oven. Use another cooking method and save time, energy and as much as $70 a year.
For more money and energy-saving tips, visit energysolutions.seattle.gov/renters-resource.
Green Up
Make an impact by contributing to a greener, more resilient energy future by joining the City Light Green Up program. Simply add $3, $6 or $12 to your bill per month. Learn more by visiting seattle.gov/light/greenup or call (206) 684-3800.
Crossword Congrats!
We were excited to see hundreds of customers participate again in the 6th annual Go Green, Get Green Crossword Puzzle Contest and demonstrate their knowledge about energy efficiency and the Utility. Congratulations to Jerry W. of North Seattle who was randomly selected as the winner of the WeMo Switch!
Changes Coming to Online Account Management
We’re always looking for ways to improve your customer experience. Our online account management platform is getting upgraded to be more ADA accessible, mobile-friendly, easily navigated and more! Keep an eye out for the new platform’s launch by following us on social media.
Affordability Programs Available for You
Did you know that Seattle residents have over 100 programs dedicated to helping eligible participants? You can see them all at seattle.gov/affordable.
Not a Seattle resident? We can still help out on your utility bill if you meet income qualifications. Get details on our Utility Discount Program and other assistance programs for City Light ratepayers at seattle.gov/light/assistance/.
“When a metallic mylar balloon touches a power line or electrical equipment, it can cause a surge of electricity which leads to a power outage and might even ignite a fire. If you are celebrating an occasion like graduation with a metallic mylar balloon, remember to keep it safely tethered and weighed down. Be sure to dispose of it properly as well.”
-Dave Bayard
Manager, Power Line Clearance and Landscape
Seattle City Light crews are in these neighborhoods, working to provide reliable service:
- Arroyo/South Arbor Heights: installing underground conduits, vaults and streetlights to replace aging infrastructure;
- Downtown Seattle: converting historic globe streetlights to LEDs;
- Judkins Park: installing new and replacement poles, new wire, and equipment to improve reliability;
- Pioneer Square: increasing electrical reliability and supporting alley restoration;
- Snohomish County: installing new transmission line wire and equipment between substations to improve regional reliability;
- South Lake Union: installing vaults and conduits to connect customers with Denny Substation underground infrastructure.
This is a partial list. For details go to seattle.gov/light/atwork to access our map and learn about individual projects.
Questions, comments or suggestions? Call (206) 684-3000.
Editor: Nathan MacDonald, nathan.macdonald@seattle.gov