City Light responds
to
economic downturn
 Just like you, Seattle City Light is doing some belt-tightening
to get through the current recession. We have
seen a significant decline in revenues that started at the
end of 2008. While a drop in prices at the gas pump might
seem like good news, it signals an overall drop in energy
prices – that has an effect on City Light.
Our two major sources of revenues are the rates we charge
customers and the revenue we receive from selling surplus
power in the energy market. The income expected from
surplus power sales in 2009 is almost half of what we had
projected. Since 2003, we have been able to cut electric
rates on average by more than 12 percent. During that
same period of time, the price of surplus power sales
steadily climbed as the cost of energy increased. However,
today our available revenue is much less than we expected.
The Mayor and City Council have made it clear that there
will be no rate increase in 2009.
To address our budget shortfall, City Light has taken a
number of steps to contain expenses: restricting the use
of overtime, freezing non-critical hiring and keeping
vacancies open, reducing training and travel expenditures,
and cutting purchases and contracting. As a result, we will
remain within our reduced 2009 budget. However, these
actions represent only a near-term fix for our revenue shortfall.
There is some good news. Because of many cost-saving
mechanisms and budget controls put into place during
the past five years, we’re better positioned to respond to
the economic downturn. However, we are monitoring the
situation carefully in the event that the economic turnaround
is delayed and to ensure that the infrastructure
initiatives we started after the windstorm of 2006 remain
in place.
I assure you that we are working hard and smart to
minimize the effect of budget cuts on our customers. We
are committed to excellence in customer service. You
may experience some impacts, however. For example,
with reductions in overtime, streetlight repairs could take
longer. Also, there will be more scheduled outages during
regular business hours on work that otherwise might have
been done at night or on the weekend. Your calls may take
longer to be answered and service requests may take a little
longer to be filled.
These challenging times require understanding and
patience. I appreciate your support and I will report back
to you how we are doing in meeting service expectations.
Thank you.
- Jorge Carrasco, Seattle City Light Superintendent
Fact Act - identity theft prevention
 Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utilities have new procedures in place for opening
a new residential customer account. These procedures are required under the Fair and
Accurate Credit Transaction Act of 2003. Congress passed this legislation to protect
against identity theft and consumer fraud. This will mean that new residential customers
- or customers who open a new account at a different address will see some changes:
- A government issued identification with a picture will be required; or
- A signed and notarized service application will be needed.
Utility customer account staff will be required to:
- Receive training on identity protection;
- Secure and limit access to customer databases; and
- Report suspected identify theft or fraud to a law enforcement agency.
These procedures previously only applied to financial institutions. Now, however, any
business or organization that provides services and receives regular payments will need to provide this protection.
It includes businesses such as cable companies, cellular telephone providers, or other similar services.
Detailed information is available through the Federal Trade Commission Website: www.ftc.gov, or call us
at (206) 684-3000.
eBill - good for you and good for the environment
 There are lots of reasons why online
utility bills are such a good deal:
- Convenient
- Saves paper
- Saves you the cost of a stamp
and us the cost of printing
and mailing
- Reduces carbon emissions
- Cuts waste.
In only eight weeks, more than 10,000 customers have
signed up to receive their City Light bills electronically.
That means an annual savings of about 15,000 gallons of
wastewater and 1,700 pounds of solid waste.
It’s easy to sign up
Just go to www.seattle.gov/light/accounts and select "Bill
Payment Online." Simple instructions will guide you
to setting up your eBill. If you have any questions, you
always can call us at (206) 684-3000.
Added features with eBill, you can:
- Receive your utility bills promptly;
- Make utility payments from your computer using a checking account, MasterCard or VISA credit or
debit cards;
- Select how you want to pay - either automatically or with each bill notice;
- View up to two-years of account history;
- Sign-up to continue to receive this newsletter, Light Reading.
The eBill service is free, and is protected by several
security features.
City Light Skagit Tours draw nature lovers
 Enjoy a family outing close to home! Take a scenic boat tour on Diablo Lake.
Purchase a picnic lunch or try our famous all-you-can-eat Diablo Dam Good
Chicken Dinner tour. The Skagit Tour office, located in Newhalem, WA, is
open June through September. For tour dates, hours, prices, information about
local sights and more, contact (206) 684-3030 or visit www.SkagitTours.com.
Reservations are recommended.
Double the fun with the Peaks and Pods tour
Skagit Tours and Mystic Sea Charters of Anacortes,
WA offer a package of two outstanding cruises:
an alpine lake adventure and a whale watching excursion. The
cruises take place on Diablo Lake in the North
Cascades and on Puget Sound near the spectacular
San Juan Islands. Both cruises include an onboard
guide and boxed lunches. The Peaks and Pods tour
price is just $99 per person. Advanced reservations
are required. To book a tour, call 1-800-308-9387.
In your neighborhood
-
From June 2009 through April 2010, City Light contractors will be inspecting utility
poles and collecting information to help us repair, replace and restore poles more
efficiently. These workers may need access to poles located in and around your
property. They will carry identification badges from City Light, and will show it to
you upon request. If you have questions or concerns, please call (206) 684-3000.
-
City Light is testing several types of light emitting diode (LED) streetlights in
the Capitol Hill and South Park neighborhoods. LEDs use much less energy than
the existing high-pressure sodium streetlights. We will be gathering public
feedback about the quality, brightness, and color of the lights.
-
During the summer months, there are numerous City construction projects
happening on the street right-of-way. Please proceed with great caution near
construction projects. Plan ahead and use alternate routes when possible to
minimize congestion. A transportation construction map is posted at www.seattle.gov/transportation/constructionmap. Current City Light projects
are occurring on both the Fremont and Queen Anne sides of the Ship Canal
near the Fremont bridge, and in the Leschi area. For information about City
Light construction projects, call (206) 615-1691.
-
City Light employees who read customer meters need at least three feet of
clearance around electric meters. Please remove plants, tools, building materials,
insect nests and other obstacles. Customers with dogs, and locked doors preventing
access to meters, should call (206) 386-1731 to request a meter-read schedule and to
make arrangements for City Light access to meters.
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