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News and Updates from Seattle City Light

Seattle City (spot)Light: Julie Banerjee, Senior Program Manager

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The Basics
Years of Service: Two
Division: Customer Care & Energy Solutions
Role: I focus on conservation programming for our new construction and multifamily customers, specifically affordable housing and efficient, low greenhouse-gas-emitting properties. In 2020, I also had the opportunity to support the Utility Discount Program, which was expanded in response to COVID-19.

Background
Hometown: Wenatchee, Washington
Alma Mater: Western Washington University and Columbia University
Discipline/Trade of Study: A bachelor’s degree in international business and a master’s in public administration in environmental science and policy.
Tell us about your family: My family is constantly changing because my husband and I foster dogs for a local rescue organization. We also have a lot of extended family in the area (about 15 aunts and uncles and 20-plus cousins). Although we have not seen them in person during COVID-19 , we’ve maintained a weekly Zoom since March 2020. The calls can get a bit unruly with so many people on the line, but I am thankful for the clamor as it provides a proxy to in-person gatherings.

“City Light seemed like the perfect place to apply the skills I learned in my master’s program. It’s a utility with a long history of energy conversation, is customer focused, and is part of the City of Seattle, which provides a unique opportunity for exciting policy development.”

Just for Fun
What’s something you have learned more about through quarantine? My husband and I live in the Greenwood area, and I have to say that the neighborhood has to be my favorite part about living here. During isolation, we’ve gotten to know neighbors better through socially distant happy hours and joint neighborhood yard sales, which has been nice!

What’s your favorite indoor activity? I’m a pretty voracious reader. This year I’ve particularly gravitated toward BIPOC women authors writing science fiction, such as N.K. Jemisin and Rebecca Roanhorse. Their writing was especially powerful to me during the pandemic because I got to live in the futures they’ve imagined, and it pushed me to think about the future I’d like to live post- pandemic.

What’s your favorite travel memory/experience? I worked in Washington, D.C., for international aid organizations, collaborating with grantees worldwide on process involvement and procurement. After D.C., my husband and I moved to India where I worked for a social enterprise that focused on increasing access to solar and other products in urban communities. I was also involved in selecting and testing new products like solar fans and water filters. Working in these communities and living in a densely populated area, it became quickly apparent how important strong local government and environmental policies are. Water scarcity was becoming an alarming issue, and almost all potable water had to be trucked in or purchased in water bottles. Local government efforts were also draining local water tables. This experience inspired me to go to graduate school to study public administration in environmental science and policy.

What do you enjoy most about working at City Light? If I had to pick one thing about City Light that I absolutely love, it would be my team. We have come together during this last year, and I feel very grateful to see them every day. If I get to pick more than one, I’d say the work is thought-provoking, and I love getting to be a part of creating the future for the City of Seattle.

Shake, Rattle and Volt: Protecting our Electrical Facilities Following the Nisqually Earthquake

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Do you remember where you were on February 28, 2001? If you lived in the Puget Sound, it’s most likely a day that you remember well.   

Robert Cochran does. He was on the 35th floor in the Second and Seneca Building in downtown Seattle, preparing to present to the American Institute of Architects about, of all things, earthquake design. But at 10:54 a.m., that all changed as the 6.8 magnitude Nisqually earthquake shook the region.   

“I could see the other buildings around us swaying for what felt like forever,” Robert recalls. “Needless to say, the meeting was canceled.”   

Earthquakes can cause severe damage to critical electrical facilities such as substations, hydroelectric infrastructures as well as transmission, distribution and communication systems. Without proper mitigation measures to reduce the impact of an earthquake, the effects could create large-scale power outages that could take weeks to restore. Today, Robert, now a senior civil engineer for the structural engineering team at Seattle City Light, designs and implements seismic retrofitting measures to mitigate an earthquake’s impact on these facilities, a first of its kind approach for an electric utility.  

A brick building with a torn-down wall caused by the Nisqually earthquake. This photo was taken in 2001.
A building in Pioneer Square damaged by the Nisqually earthquake in 2001.
Courtesy of Seattle Municipal Archives

Western Washington is home to multiple sources of earthquakes, each with their own types of potential destruction. Paired with the various pieces of equipment within an electrical facility, City Light required a multi-pronged approach to mitigate an earthquake’s impact. The size of the equipment varies as well. For example, City Light has placed some of their massive substation transformers, which lower the voltage from the transmission lines to be distributed to customers, onto platforms to create base isolation. Instead of the transformer shaking with the ground motion, the platform sways slowly trading displacement for force,  reducing its impact. 

A base-isolated transformer in City Light's East Pine Substation
A base-isolated transformer in City Light’s East Pine Substation

Other pieces of the seismic equipment are much smaller, like a friction hinge that Robert and the Shops team at City Light are developing that dissipates an earthquake’s energy through friction. Between the equipment that City light designs in-house and the pieces that are purchased from a vendor, City Light is building a cost-effective suite of mitigation equipment to keep its infrastructure resilient. 

The Steel Shop team testing the friction hinge designed in-house at City Light

“These types of measures provide City Light the technology to build a zero-damage substation, and we’re working towards that,” Robert explained. “Losing a transformer in a substation could cost up to $5 million and take at least two years to replace, while a base isolator is a relatively inexpensive and simple measure that can last basically for life. This work goes beyond the minimum seismic standards to further protect this valuable equipment.” 

City Light is leading the way in implementing seismic retrofitting into its electrical infrastructure. While some utilities have base isolators and other seismic equipment, City Light currently has the most base-isolated transformers of any utility in the U.S., according to Robert’s research. Robert has presented on this work on behalf of City Light in the past and is sharing his knowledge with other utilities, especially those on the West Coast who are in areas vulnerable to earthquakes.  

While City Light has implemented these vital measures, the work is never truly done. City Light continuously reviews its facilities’ seismic performance to identify and address key weak seismic points. For now, City Light is on track to be completely resilient in years to come.  

“We are only as strong as our weakest link. Electricity is so critical in recovering from an earthquake, and as an electric utility, we bear a responsibility to our community to have a resilient system, especially when a natural disaster of this magnitude strikes,” Robert said. “I’m proud to work at a utility like City Light that values this work.” 

Franchise City Customer Candidate Sought for City Light Review Panel

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Seattle City Light is seeking a candidate to serve on the City Light Review Panel and represent our suburban franchise customers. This is a Mayoral appointment to the Review Panel and the candidate will be appointed by Mayor Durkan and confirmed by the Seattle City Council.

The Review Panel, established in 2010 through City Council Ordinance Number 123256, plays an important role in providing input and engagement of City Light ratepayers in the development and review of the utility’s biennial update to the six-year Strategic Plan. The Review Panel is also tasked with reviewing electricity rate proposals, assessing City Light’s electricity rate design, and considering the implementation of cost allocation changes among customer classes.

The current vacant panel position is designated for a City Light Suburban Franchise Customer Representative, preferably with knowledge and interest in the electricity industry. The candidate must reside in one of the following communities – cities of Tukwila, SeaTac, Burien, Renton, Normandy Park, Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, or unincorporated King County (White Center/Bryn Mawr-Skyway). City Light is committed to racial diversity and inclusion in recruitment for this position.

For more details regarding participation in the Review Panel and Strategic Plan, including the time commitment to attend regular monthly meetings, please visit the links below:

http://www.seattle.gov/citylightreviewpanel

http://www.seattle.gov/city-light/about-us/strategic-plan-and-review-panel

This position is appointed by the City Council to serve a renewable three-year term. Qualified candidates will be screened and forwarded to Seattle City Councilmember Pedersen’s office for consideration.

To be considered for appointment by the City Council to the City Light Review Panel, please send a letter of interest and resume to SCL_CLRPquestions@seattle.gov.

Residential Customer Candidate Sought for City Light Review Panel

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Seattle City Councilmember Alex Pedersen is currently seeking a candidate to serve on the City Light Review Panel and represent our residential rate-paying customers.

The Review Panel, established in 2010 through City Council Ordinance Number 123256, plays an important role in providing input and engagement of City Light ratepayers in the development and review of the utility’s biennial update to the six-year Strategic Plan. The Review Panel is also tasked with reviewing electricity rate proposals, assessing City Light’s electricity rate design, and considering the implementation of cost allocation changes among customer classes.

The current vacant panel position is designated for a City Light Residential Customer representative, preferably with knowledge and interest in the electricity industry. City Light is committed to racial diversity and inclusion in recruitment for this position.

For more details regarding participation in the Review Panel and Strategic Plan, including the time commitment to attend regular monthly meetings, please visit the links below:

http://www.seattle.gov/citylightreviewpanel

http://www.seattle.gov/city-light/about-us/strategic-plan-and-review-panel

This position is appointed by the City Council to serve a renewable three-year term. Qualified candidates will be screened and forwarded to Seattle City Councilmember Pedersen’s office for consideration.

To be considered for appointment by the City Council to the City Light Review Panel, please send a letter of interest and resume to SCL_CLRPquestions@seattle.gov.

Seattle City (spot)Light: Tosha Siebert, Manager of Stations, Relay, and Operators

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From Field Operations manager for North Line to Manager of Stations, Relay, and Operators, Tosha Siebert reflects on her new role

Tosha Siebert joined City Light as the Field Operations Manager for North Line. “I started my job in March 2020, just a few days before Gov. Inslee announced the stay-at-home order for COVID-19!” Tosha explained. “Starting during this time was extremely difficult. Right away, I had to start implementing new policies and procedures before people had even gotten the chance to get to know me. With all of us continuing to come in each week, we were forced to find different ways to do our work and communicate with each other.”

Born in California but raised in Washington, Tosha considers herself a true Washingtonian. She lives in the Snoqualmie area where she, “loves the beautiful views we have of the Cascades! It’s truly beautiful here, especially when it’s snowing, and I get to enjoy a good romance movie with my electric blanket!”

In this week’s (spot)Light, Tosha talks about her new role at City Light and what she has enjoyed most about her time at the utility.

“I started as the Line Operations Manager at the North Service Center where I learned so much about the operational aspects of our overhead, underground residential distribution, streetlight, and Line Service crews. I have now graciously accepted the offer to move to a new role where I will be able to shift my focus over to learning more about the services our Substation, Relay and Non-Attended Substation (NAS) Operator workgroups provide. Since starting this new role things have been very different. I am getting more of an opportunity to get out and meet employees with less focus on implementation and planning around the pandemic,” Tosha shared. She comes to City Light from Tacoma Power where she previously completed two apprenticeships; her first was a three and a half year Meter apprenticeship, the second being another three and a half year Relay apprenticeship. She also received her Bachelor of Science in Business Management earlier this year.

“A shorter commute, the opportunity to learn more about utility operations and develop my leadership skills were all positives in my decision to join the City Light team. The ability to work with so many different workgroups in Transmission and Distribution Operations piqued my interest, and I feel so privileged to work with and continue to learn from so many great people around me.”

February Snowstorm Recap

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Last weekend brought record amounts of snow to the Seattle area, which created challenges for City Light crews and employees to keep the lights on for our customers. In addition to responding to outages and restoring power, City Light employees stepped up to support other City department operations and traveled south to Oregon to assist our neighboring utility that experienced greater damage to utility poles and infrastructure than we did in Seattle.

Seattle City Light truck with tire chains in the snow

At our service centers, fleet personnel worked around the clock to ensure that vehicles were chained up and ready for any potential outages. Crews plowed snow at our facility entrances to provide access for utility trucks and equipment. Warehouses and facilities were also staffed and prepared to respond to any requests for equipment out in the field.

City Light vegetation crews clearing the security access gate at our North Service Center

City Light vegetation crews clearing the security gates at our North Service Center

Field crews responded to several outages in our service territory, including areas in Shoreline, Lake Forest Park and Tukwila. From car/pole incidents to falling trees, crews answered the call, navigated the snowy conditions, and made necessary repairs to bring power back to customers.

Overhead line crew responding to a tree/wire incident in Shoreline

Overhead line crew responding to a tree/wire incident in Shoreline

In other parts of the Pacific Northwest, the storm resulted in extensive damage to utility poles and other infrastructure, resulting in widespread outages. Through mutual aid agreements, City Light crews were sent to Oregon to assist Portland General Electric with restoring power to thousands of residents.

City Light crews assisting Portland General Electric with repairs in Boring, OR.

The storm also presented unique needs from other City of Seattle departments. City Light crews assisted the Seattle Department of Transportation with loading salt into trucks and clearing roads. City Light partnered with the Human Services Department and Seattle Parks and Recreation to provide volunteer bus drivers transporting individuals to severe weather shelters around the Seattle area.

City Light employees volunteered as bus drivers for transporting individuals to emergency shelters

We’re grateful to all of our employees for their dedication to serving our communities. Thank you for helping us weather the storm.

Seattle City (spot)Light: Eliza Ives, Renewable Energy Program Manager

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From Boston to Seattle, Eliza Ives shares her passion for the outdoors and upcoming advancements in renewable energy.

Renewable Energy Program Manager Eliza Ives has been with City Light for three and a half years. “I started as a graduate intern and decided to stick around!” she exclaimed.

“I am originally from just outside of Boston and studied evolutionary biology at Harvard, which got me into the marine biology world. After five years, I returned to school to get my master’s in public administration from the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy,” Eliza shared. “My spouse’s job brought us to Seattle nine years ago. I was happy not to be in a landlocked area, as were my marine biology interests (in a former life, I worked for NOAA doing large marine mammal passive acoustics research).”

In this week’s (spot)Light, Eliza talks favorite winter weather activities and her work at City Light.

“In the theme of the winter season, my absolute favorite activity is skiing! We’re Crystal Mountain die-hards and try to get out there as much as possible during the season. I grew up chattering down the icy hills of Vermont, so PNW skiing was a huge adjustment at first, but the new terrain (and the cascade concrete) has made me a much better skier over the years,” Eliza said. “In terms of hobbies, I really enjoy bird watching. You can do it anywhere (even in a parking lot!) and, for me, it’s one of the few activities that slows me down and keeps me grounded in the present moment – it’s almost a meditative experience.

“It was the former Customer Energy Solutions division that sparked my excitement about City Light. I had no idea the utility was doing so much work in energy efficiency or renewable energy programs, and I found it appealing that close to 90% of our energy is hydro and carbon neutral. It also felt great being part of a municipal department. I really liked that I would be working to better my community and that the utility answers directly to our customers.

“As one of two renewable energy program managers, I manage some of our renewables programs, including the state solar incentive, community solar, and net metering. This year I joined a new team tasked with developing a race and social justice strategy for the Customer Care and Energy Solutions division,” Eliza explained. “Generally, my job entails ensuring our customer-generators understand the utility benefits of installing solar as well as their eligibility for utility rates like net metering, net metering aggregation, and large solar and/or state incentives.

“Looking forward, I am particularly excited about community solar. We’re working with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to research feasible program designs for the next generation of community solar, including a carve-out for our customers surviving on low-to-moderate incomes. I think there is so much opportunity for the utility to expand access to the benefits of renewable energy, and this is one way we might do it.”

Another snowstorm in February? We’re ready.

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City Light vehicles are chained up and ready to mobilize

All week, we (along with most of the region) have been tracking this winter weather and the possibility of significant snowfall. Starting tonight, according to our friends at the National Weather Service in Seattle, our service area can anticipate between 3 to 7 inches depending on where you live.

City Light is staffed and ready to mobilize if and when outages occur. We have prepared for the worst and are hoping for the best.

Here’s what you need to know:

  • Snow and ice-related outages occur if a branch falls on power lines due to the weight of the precipitation. Sometimes, equipment may fail due to low temperatures.
  • When outages occur, our response prioritizes life safety first, followed by emergency services and then by repairs, which brings the largest number of customers back into service. For updates on outages in your area, visit seattle.gov/city-light/outages. 
  • Starting on Sunday, there’s a chance that the snow will turn into rain. Rain can rapidly melt the snow on tree branches, which can spring them up into power lines, which can cause outages.
  • There’s also a possibility of high winds with this storm as well, which could lead to fallen trees and ultimately downed power lines. 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.
  • Finally, NEVER use generators, camp stoves or barbecue grills indoors. They can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep them a safe distance away from your dwelling. Heating your home with your gas stove is also dangerous.

Check out our Prepare for Snow and Ice page for tips on how to prepare and be safe. Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for updates as the storm progresses. Above all, stay safe and take care.

Rolling Slowdowns Planned on I-5 (Feb. 10-12)

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Seattle City Light crews plan to relocate several overhead power lines on Interstate 5 at Northeast 155th Street in Shoreline. The work, which supports Sound Transit’s Lynnwood Link Extension project, will result in traffic impacts on Feb. 10-12.

Map of rolling slowdown limits on I-5

Map showing rolling slowdown limits on I-5 (Feb. 10-12)

To complete this work safely, Washington State Patrol troopers and construction crews must intermittently conduct rolling slowdowns of traffic in both directions of I-5 to ensure safe work operations and passage for motorists. Traffic will be intercepted and escorted at slow speeds for up to 15 minutes between Mountlake Terrace and north Seattle as crews pull overhead feeder cables across the freeway. Traffic will return to normal speeds once vehicles pass the work area.

Rolling slowdowns will occur on the following dates:

  • Feb. 10 (Wednesday morning): 1 – 3 a.m.
  • Feb. 11 (Thursday morning): 1 – 3 a.m.
  • Feb. 12 (Friday morning): 1 – 3 a.m.

Traffic using the following on-ramps to I-5 will be affected:

  • On southbound I-5: 220th Street Southwest (Mountlake Terrace), State Route 104, North 175th Street and the King County Metro North Base (Shoreline)
  • On northbound I-5: 5th Avenue Northeast (Shoreline), Northeast Northgate Way, Northeast 80th Street and Northeast 70th Street (Seattle)

Drivers should expect delays and plan to use alternate routes during construction. Real-time traffic information is available on the WSDOT mobile app and the WSDOT Traffic Twitter feed.

Please be aware that this electrical reliability work requires crew members to work closely together for their safety. This work follows protocols in place to meet all COVID-19 guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Washington State Department of Health, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

For more information on Sound Transit’s Lynnwood Link Extension project, please visit soundtransit.org/system-expansion/lynnwood-link-extension. Learn more about City Light’s construction projects by visiting seattle.gov/city-light/in-the-community/current-projects.

Seattle City Light unveils new electric vehicle chargers in Tukwila

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Seattle City Light announced five new utility-owned electric vehicle (EV) chargers in Tukwila, Wash. The publicly accessible stations are part of a utility initiative to deliver community-focused transportation electrification solutions that meet customer needs, reduce carbon emissions and air pollution. Sited in one of City Light’s franchise cities, this is the first public infrastructure site the utility has opened outside of Seattle city limits.

EV Chargers in Tukwila, Washington

Newly installed EV chargers in Tukwila, Wash.

Located at 13050 Interurban Ave. S., at the intersection of Interstate 5 and State Route 599, the site includes four EV fast chargers and one Level 2 charger. Each fast charger can provide up to 150 kilowatts (kW) and has both CHAdeMO and CCS1 charge plugs compatible with most fast-charge EVs. The station also includes a 16.8 kW Level 2 charger that works for all EVs, including those not equipped with a quick-charge port.

“The newly available chargers will provide greater access to charging infrastructure for EV drivers in the Tukwila area. Located at the intersection of major highways and roads, the site addresses a significant gap in access to public EV fast charging south of downtown Seattle,” said David Logsdon, City Light’s electrification and strategic technology director. “Vehicle tailpipe emissions disproportionally impact the Duwamish Valley, and this transition toward electrified transportation helps reduce these emissions.”

Charging fees will vary depending on the time of day and charger type. Customers will be charged $0.35 or $0.21 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) at a Tukwila EV charger.

In 2018, City Light installed its first EV charging station in Seattle’s Beacon Hill neighborhood. The utility installed additional chargers in several Seattle areas, including SODO (2019), Madison-Miller, Alaska-Junction and Magnuson Park (2020; see more info on these stations). City Light continues to evaluate new sites as potential EV charging locations in the utility’s service area.

To learn more about City Light’s EV programs and initiatives, visit our website at seattle.gov/city-light/residential-services/home-energy-solutions/electric-vehicles.

Seattle City Light, one of the nation’s largest publicly owned utilities, generates and delivers affordable, reliable and environmentally responsible power to the homes, businesses, and communities we serve. We provide carbon-neutral electricity, generated primarily from carbon-free hydropower, to over 900,000 residents in Seattle and the surrounding areas.