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What Is Public Power? Like community schools, parks, and hospitals, public power systems are local institutions working together to meet local needs. Without earning a profit, public power systems operate to provide an essential public service at a reasonable cost. We are governed by elected Seattle officials, guided by public involvement, and supported by customer revenues, not taxes. In fact, the utility pays substantial taxes to state and local governments. What Are the Benefits?
Whom Does It Serve? About 46 million Americans receive power from more than 2,000 public power systems operated by municipalities, counties, states, cities, or other public bodies. Public power systems are in every state except Hawaii. We are the nation's 10th largest public power system, serving about 400,000 customers. The electric utility industry has been responding to competitive changes since the passage of the Energy Policy Act of 1992. The public power system's success in this new competitive marketplace benefits all electric consumers because this form of competition, by comparison, helps to hold down electric rates. Today we are well situated to respond to these changes. Seattle City Light’s ability to deliver quality service and provide the lowest cost, most reliable electricity in urban America has never been stronger. |
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History |
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Public power is
one of the oldest forms of electric utility
ownership in the U.S. It is a gift inherited from
past generations. Thanks to the Seattle voters
who approved a bond issue to develop a
hydroelectric facility on the Cedar River in 1902
— beginning of public power in Seattle, and
the nation's first municipally owned hydro
project. Thanks also to J.D. Ross, "Father
of City Light" who supported public power.
At Seattle City Light, we pride ourselves on
serving our customers with public power.
