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News and Updates from Seattle City Light

Electrical Reliability Work Planned on 4th Avenue

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Seattle City Light crews plan to install an underground duct bank (groups of conduits used to protect electrical cables) on 4th Avenue, near Jefferson Street. This project is needed to maintain and provide future capacity for electrical growth in the downtown core.

Construction is tentative to start in early March 2020.

This project is scheduled to begin in early March 2020. To complete this work safely, there will be traffic and parking impacts to the surrounding area. Customers can expect temporary parking, sidewalk and traffic restrictions during this project. Flaggers will be present to direct traffic through the work zone. Crews will also maintain access for businesses and parking lots affected by the work areas.

Maintenance power outages are not expected for this project. If any outages are needed, notifications will be provided in advance of the outages.

Construction work areas will impact 4th Avenue, near Jefferson Street.

Daily construction work hours are from Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. This project is projected to last approximately four months.

For more information, customers can contact Bill Danbom, Senior Electrical Service Representative, at (206) 386-1797 or bill.danbom@seattle.gov.

Visit Seattle City Light’s “At Work in Your Neighborhood” website for the latest updates on this project and others in your neighborhood.

Planned Vegetation Management Work Scheduled for Queen Anne and Magnolia

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In the coming weeks, City Light will begin trimming trees and vegetation in the Queen Anne and Magnolia neighborhoods. This type of maintenance of trees and plants growing near power lines and other utility equipment is critical in mitigating safety hazards and costly outages.

Every day, our Power Line Clearance team within City Light’s Vegetation Management group works to ensure the reliability of our electricity and safety of our communities and crews by employing a systematic approach to vegetation management around the utility’s complex network of substations, power lines and transformers.

To learn more about our program and what to expect when our vegetation management crews are in your area, please watch the short video below.

Seattle City (spot)Light: Nate Burns

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Nate Burns has been with City Light for two years as of last July. He is a part of the Finance unit where he runs the business case program. “Projects that cost more than a million dollars have an extensive approval process, including oversight by City Council,” Nate explained. “Project managers and engineers come to me with ideas on how to spend our capital and I help them through the process of actually applying for it.”

Nate lives in Seattle with his dog Charles (a Chihuahua, Yorkie, Australian Cattle Dog, and Jack Russell mix). He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science from Vanderbilt and later an MBA from Notre Dame.

In this week’s (spot)Light, Nate talks about his work at Seattle City Light, his hobbies and why he likes working at the utility.

Nate and Charlie at Mount Si

“Before coming to City Light, I was a Senior Finance Manager at Microsoft, where I managed the P&L for several cloud products. Because I majored in political science, I was always interested in doing something in public service. So, when this position opened, I was initially attracted to it,” Nate shared. “I would say that we get 20-30 projects done through the business case program each year. One of the projects we’re working on is the facilities at Boundary Dam. They don’t have a big enough meeting room for everyone; right now, they’re meeting in the cafeteria, so they want to provide this space. They also want to upgrade some of their other facilities that are in need.”

“I am the son of a sailor and an actress. I was born in San Francisco and grew up in Minnesota and then I’ve kind of lived all over since then. I went to college in Nashville, and from there I lived in Phoenix, San Diego, Indiana, Detroit, Taiwan, Germany, Chicago, and now Seattle.”

“I like to say that I have a pretty diverse set of interests. I love cooking and cook most days. I’ve gotten into making simple meals but varying the spices, which makes it completely different. My favorite thing to prepare now that I live in Seattle is grilled salmon with Leipäjuusto and vegetables. Two of my favorite winter activities are skiing and Scrabble, and this winter, I’d like to improve my speed at both. I’ve recently gotten into skinning, or uphill skiing, which combines my love of skiing and hiking. I’m passionate about fitness in general, and my favorite competitive event is indoor sprint rowing. Last year, I took third place at Seattle’s annual Ergomania competition, and this year, I’d like to translate that skill into rowing on open water.”

“City Light has some of the most amazing people. I love that everyone here has a good sense of the mission. At a lot of companies, I think people can step over each other for their own personal accolades. Here people don’t tend to think in that way. There’s a common purpose in helping our citizens and the greater good and that’s what I really like about working here.”

Underground Electrical Upgrades Planned in Capitol Hill

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In 2017, Seattle City Light crews installed underground electrical conduit, vaults and associated equipment in parts of the Capitol Hill neighborhood. This work was done as part of the City of Seattle’s ordinance to convert overhead power lines to an underground electrical system. The next step of this work involves pulling in cables to connect to the underground system. This is projected to begin in early March 2020.

The project is scheduled to start in early March 2020.

Customers can expect temporary parking, sidewalk and traffic restrictions during this project. Flaggers will direct traffic and crews will maintain access for businesses within the construction zone. Noise is also expected during construction.

Maintenance power outages are required to complete the restoration safely. Notifications will be provided in advance. The notification will specify the date, time and duration of the upcoming outage.

Construction will impact the outlined areas in Capitol Hill.

Daily construction work hours are from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Weekend work may be required to complete this work. The entire project is projected to last seven weeks.

For more information, customers can contact Chau Luu, Senior Electrical Service Representative, at (206) 386-1671 or chau.luu@seattle.gov.

Visit Seattle City Light’s “At Work in Your Neighborhood” website for the latest updates on this project and others in your neighborhood.

Seattle City (spot)Light: Michael Jang

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Michael Jang has been with City Light since 1996. “I completed City Light’s lineworker apprenticeship program and, after two years as a lineworker, I transitioned to the System Operations Center,” Michael explained. “I became a power dispatcher and then a senior power dispatcher before taking on the chief dispatcher duties two years ago.”

Michael came to Washington when he was three years old. “My family emigrated from South Korea,” he shared. He lives in the Renton area where he enjoys the shorter commute to Seattle and the range of activities in the city.

In this weeks (spot)Light, Michael shares about his position at City Light, his passion for basketball, and what he likes most about the utility.

Michael with his wife NaTalie

“My position is the Chief Dispatcher of Generation & Transmission at the System Operations Center. The Senior Power Dispatchers who report to me are tasked with monitoring and controlling the production and delivery of electricity to City Light’s customers. Electricity is generated, then transmitted over the power lines, and finally distributed to the end user, which is everyone in our service territory. There are numerous rules, regulations, policies and procedures at the federal, state, local and internal level that must be followed for the reliable delivery of power. My main role is to ensure that our team has the necessary tools and skills to efficiently fulfill their objectives.”

“Playing basketball is one of my favorite activities, though it’s getting more difficult with each passing year. As the weather gets colder and my knees get older, basketball has become more painful! I decided to pick up yoga so I can continue to play. I also enjoy construction work. I usually stay busy with construction/remodel house projects and helping friends and family with their projects. Things like framing, electrical, plumbing and HVAC.”

“One of the biggest enjoyments for me at City Light has been the friendships created. Through the years as a lineman, power dispatcher, senior power dispatcher and now as the chief dispatcher, I have met so many amazing people. Countless people have molded me into the person that I have become and continue to shape my beliefs and aspirations. I do not know how to show my gratitude to everyone who has impacted my life here at City Light except to be the best version of myself in the role that I am playing.”

Seattle City (spot)Light: Ned Lichty

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Ned Lichty has been at City Light for three years. He’s part of the Contracts and Procurement team as a Sr. Contracts and Procurement Specialist. “My job is to procure products and professional consulting services for the divisions and project managers I support,” Ned explained. “I provide guidance and training in the consultant selection process and ensure my customers remain compliant with City rules and policies.”

Ned’s father served in the military and so his family moved frequently before settling in the Evergreen State. “We lived in South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Colorado and Livorno, Italy,” Ned shared. “When I was ten, we made our final move to Washington state and I’ve lived here since. I love its natural beauty and diversity.” He lives in Edgewood with his spouse Frank and their daughter Allison where they embrace the country-vibe.

In this week’s (spot)Light, Ned talks about his family, hobbies and what he enjoys about City Light.

L-R: Ned, Allison and Frank

“Allison is attending UW and we couldn’t be prouder. She’s on the Dean’s List and has received several scholarships. We were Allison’s foster parents and decided we didn’t want to live without her, so we made it permanent and adopted her in 2014. Prior to Allison, Frank and I were foster parents to his two nephews. I learned that raising boys is much more challenging than girls! She definitely is a gift from God, as we’ve grown and learned so much from her.”

“I love camping and exploring new destinations in Washington. I plan to visit Newhalem this summer and check out our dams. I also love traveling to new destinations and have a passion for learning about ancient history, civilizations and religions, mysteries of the unexplained and exploring fringe topics. I’m an avid animal lover and have two Boston Terriers, a yellow-nape Amazon parrot that I’ve owned for 28 years and a chicken-coop! I also love bird watching so I have bird feeders to draw them to my deck. Skiing is another hobby of mine.”

“I was attracted to City Light because of its emphasis on creating a positive work culture and its focus on diversity and service to the community. I really love that my job is downtown which lets me experience the City’s energy. Another bonus is working in the Seattle Municipal Tower, which has some pretty fantastic views…not to mention the convenience of having a Starbucks in the building! It has a stream of people throughout the day, making it feel like the social hotspot.”

“I enjoy my job because I interact with different departments and people who work on a variety of projects and commodities. One would think writing contracts would be boring and monotonous, however, that’s not the case due to the type of projects and scopes of work that comes my way. Projects range from Dam Safety Compliance, Boundary Licensing projects, Fish & Wildlife Research, Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, Management Services, Construction Management, Environmental projects, Generator repair and maintenance, LIDAR detection, Energy Conservation…the list goes on. The best part of my job is working with an amazing team that has so many positive traits that I could go on and on, but to keep it brief I’ll sum it up in one word: Fabulousness!”

Uncovering History: The Life of a Seattle City Light Archaeologist

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Uncovering a pond in the town of Diablo

Seattle City Light’s more than 1,800 employees hold a bevy of positions from engineer, to lineworker, to fish biologist to fudge master (although that last one is more of a moniker). Here’s another enviable position to add to the list: archaeologist. Since assuming her role in 2016, Senior Archaeologist Andrea Weiser has played a critical role in preserving and discovering the history of City Light and the areas it affects.

Before any projects, from replacing a pole to building a large piece of infrastructure, Andrea and members of a team of consulting archaeologists research and test the area for potential historical archaeological significance that could be disturbed. Once the evaluation is complete, the utility can move forward or adjust their plans. This protocol complies with City Light’s obligations to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, as well as compliance with state and federal laws and Seattle municipal code regarding cultural resources and coordination with Tribes who retain treaty rights in their usual and accustomed areas.

While not very common, Andrea and her team may uncover an artifact that harkens back to the origins of the Skagit Hydroelectric Project’s existence. One day while conducting archaeological monitoring for a water meter project in Newhalem, a town owned and operated by City Light within the project, they made a discovery–an Old Taylor Bourbon bottle from the 1940s found nestled among the roots of a stump. The find alone was a surprise and the fact that the bottle was still intact was rare for the team to uncover. 

The recovered Old Taylor Bourbon bottle

“In the 1940s, the company town of Newhalem had memorable ups and downs. At this time, Diablo and Gorge Powerhouses were in production, Ross Dam was under construction, and tourists who accessed the project by train were treated to meals and scenes that caused a buzz of excitement,” Andrea explained. “Evening activities included dances and cocktail parties. In September 1940, the Selective Training and Service Act required men between the ages of 21 and 45 to register for the draft, and in 1941, U.S. military personnel were deployed for World War II. Construction of Ross Dam was put on hold until the war ended in 1945 and Ross Dam was completed in 1949. During this era, there were many reasons to drain a bottle of bourbon.” 

Construction of Ross Dam, Jan. 1940

The team has found numerous relics of City Light’s past buried within the Project. A few years ago, while Andrea served as a consultant for the utility, her team even discovered a human-made pond buried a foot below the ground in the town of Diablo. Through historical photos and old City Light newsletters, they deduced that the pond was built between 1950 and 1955, serving as a tourist attraction in the summer for project visitors and as an ice rink in the winter for the employees and their families.

Andrea and her team have also found essential artifacts that recognize the significance of the land for native people, primarily the Upper Skagit Tribe. Before a large-scale project at the Skagit Hydroelectric Project, or for any City Light property, the utility confers with the local tribes to ensure that work doesn’t disrupt culturally-significant sites. Following one such project, City Light partnered with the Upper Skagit Tribe to create interpretive signage that recognized the importance of this land in the Tribe’s history. The sign represents a collaborative effort with the Upper Skagit Tribe to raise public awareness about ancient human history in the Skagit Project and highlight modern coordination on resource stewardship to protect and enhance fish and animal populations and habitat. Upper Skagit Tribal Council members Marilyn Scott and Edmond Mathias commemorated the sign dedication with a traditional song and honored 40 families who lived year-round in longhouses in Newhalem for generations before European settlement. Upper Skagit Tribal Policy Advisor, Scott Schuyler, spoke about a long-standing history of connections to the Skagit watershed and Newhalem, as well as treaty rights, and resources that are important to their Tribe’s culture and future.

“The council wanted to reach the public and create awareness of their history in this area,” Andrea said. “It was important to them that we recognize that the Tribe has been stewards of the land we operate in for thousands of years. We were proud to partner with them to help tell their story.” 

Interpretive signage near SR 20 in Newhalem

The interpretive signage is located in Newhalem near the Skagit General Store and includes facts about how ancient archaeological evidence corroborates the oral history the Upper Skagit Tribe teaches about their connections with the area. It also consists of a polymer replica of an artifact found at the Skagit Hydroelectric Project. The original artifact, estimated to be between 4,000 and 9,000 years old, is formed from a type of stone unique to the North Cascades mountains and was recently analyzed for biological residues revealing the presence of ancient goat blood on the artifact. Which is apropos since the word Newhalem comes from the Lushootseed word “dawáylib” translates to the thread or rope used for snaring goats. 

But this line of work is rife with challenges. Archaeological sites are heavily protected in Washington, and by law, all land in the state is protected from unpermitted digging in archaeological sites. Projects even on private lands that involve a lot of digging like installing a pool or septic tank, require contacting the Washington Department of Archaeology first (for more information, visit: dahp.wa.gov). When it comes to City Light projects, Weiser or other archaeologists carry out this coordination with the state and affected tribes. Because the Skagit Hydroelectric Project lies within the North Cascades National Park and Ross National Recreation Area, the archaeological sites are protected by federal law. To put it bluntly: you can’t go all Indiana Jones when you’re in the park or anywhere else. Even a trained professional archaeologist must have a permit to dig or collect artifacts.

“We do this work under federal and state laws, along with obtaining the proper permits. One of the risks of talking about archaeology is it can pique someone’s interest,” Andrea described. ” but you cannot go out and dig up areas on your own. You will be fined heavily and could even end up in jail, not to mention you could lose the trust of tribes who hold federal rights. In the state of Washington, if you knowingly disturb or dig up at a site, it’s illegal. There are also protections for keeping archeological sites, burials, and traditional cultural place locations confidential to protect them from looting and vandalism. It’s really serious stuff, especially with cultures where these areas are personally significant.”

While some people do dig or excavate without realizing the current laws, others are more nefarious. Last summer, someone had illegally dug and vandalized the Newhalem Rock Shelter archeological site near the Newhalem campground which is clearly marked as a protected site. According to a Facebook post by the National Park Service, the illegal excavation has caused “irretrievable damage” to the site and the Upper Skagit Tribe’s heritage. The Tribe is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of those involved. 

If you would like to learn more about archaeology in our state, The Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation’s website: dahp.wa.gov has a wealth of resources. You can also even volunteer to participate on a dig! Learn more at jobmonkey.com/parks/passport_in_time/.

Seattle City (spot)Light: Ed Hill

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Ed Hill has worked at City Light for 25 years. He began his utility career as an apprentice cable splicer in 1993. Currently, he serves as the Electrical Construction & Maintenance Supervisor in Transmission & Distribution Operations. “My job involves supervising the day-to-day operations of the line crews at the South Service Center (SSC),” Ed explained. “I oversee the line service, streetlight and pole yard crews.”

Ed is from South Seattle but has also lived in Texas and Connecticut. “I live near Seward Park,” Ed shared. “I grew up in this area and watched the hydroplanes and the Blue Angels every summer. It was a benefit of living near the lake. The neighborhood has changed over the past years, but I still relive childhood memories every time I travel down Lake Washington Blvd.”

In this week’s (spot)Light, Ed talks about his hobbies and the value of education.

“My favorite activities are going to Seahawk games—I’ve had season tickets since 1998! I’m also a season ticket holder for Sounders FC and have been since their inaugural season in 2009. My favorite hobbies are cooking. I usually cook more than my wife and I can eat! We enjoy traveling and recently returned from a trip to Italy. I’ve also been known to karaoke a song or two.”

“I completed my undergraduate degree in Business Management in 2013. I actually started right after high school when I joined the Army, but being young and on my own, there were many distractions.  I learned radar electronics in the military and after leaving the service I worked for Motorola in Texas and DEC (now Compaq) in Connecticut. Those jobs taught me a lot about robotics and automation.”

“With that knowledge, I returned to Seattle. I was hired at an electronics manufacturer in Redmond where I set up an automated production line. Hindsight let me see the value of education and foresight gave me the vision of where at-risk youth would be without an education. So, I started mentoring high school kids. After seven years of watching them graduate college, I knew it was my time to get my degree.”

“What I enjoy most about my job and working at City Light is the ability to take advantage of opportunities to challenge myself as much as I want. Knowing the value of education, I’m always striving to learn more and put that knowledge to use.”

Seattle City (spot)Light: Mandana Baniani

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Mandana Baniani joined City Light IT in 2014 as Temporary Senior Quality Assurance Analyst. “When my contract ended, I moved to Asset Data Group, where I learned so much about the importance of data governance and maintaining high-quality asset data for the utility in order to improve reliability, safety, and efficiency,” Mandana explained. “Last year I became a permanent employee with the Supply Chain Management team, and I couldn’t be happier!”

Born in Iran, Mandana moved to Seattle after high school to attend Seattle University, later transferring to Central Washington University. There she earned her bachelor’s in Business Administration and Management. Mandana has lived in Washington for the past 40 years with her husband and two children..

In this week’s (spot)Light, Mandana talks about her life in Edmonds, a range of hobbies and her love for volunteer work.

Mandana with her grandchildren

“My husband and I live in Edmonds not too far from our daughter and her family and we are fortunate to spend time with our six & seven-year-old grandsons regularly and being involved in their daily lives and activities.”

“I enjoy gardening, baking, traveling and event planning. I am creative and absolutely love floral design and have done many wedding flower arrangements including my daughter’s wedding,” she shared. “I enjoy going for long walks and hikes and have participated in many 5K run/walks for various charities. I am passionate about helping those in need and I’ve been volunteering at Mary’s Place and the Ronald McDonald House for over ten years. I’ve held wreath making events with my team of volunteers during the holidays at RMH for kids and their families that are receiving care at Seattle Children’s Hospital. I find volunteering very rewarding and it’s the smallest acts of kindness that make a larger impact on the community.”

“I was initially attracted to City Light because of its flexibility in providing a work-life balance. The greatest part of my job is the people I have met that are so passionate and hardworking and strive to provide the best service to our internal and external customers. I am proud to be part of such a wonderful team here at City Light.”

Winter is Here, it’s Time to Weatherize!

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Did you know that weatherizing your home can keep you warm in the winter, cool in the summer and reduce your energy bill? Now is a great time to take advantage of theCity of Seattle’s HomeWise Weatherization program!

City of Seattle’s HomeWise improves your home and provides a healthier indoor environment while staying more comfortable year-round, not to mention reducing your energy bills. This program provides weatherization services for limited-income residents of Seattle and electrically heated homes throughout City Light’s service territory.

HomeWise includes a complete energy audit by a HomeWise property rehabilitation specialist that will:

  • identify opportunities to improve the efficiency of your home to save you money;
  • explore methods to improve the health, safety and comfort of your home;
  • evaluate opportunities for improving your home’s heating and cooling systems;
  • develop an itemized list of work to be done.

After the audit, a HomeWise professional will facilitate contracting and be there to guide you as work is done on your home.

HomeWise works with private contractors, and their work is inspected by a HomeWise specialist. This service is free for income-qualified customers. If home repairs are needed, no-interest loans are available. Click here to find out if you might qualify for the HomeWise Weatherization Program. To learn more, visit seattle.gov/housing/homeowners/weatherization.