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Lighting Seattle since 1905 Jorge Carrasco, Superintendent
Global Change
Dairy biogas projects convert dairy waste into a methane-rich biogas which is used to produce electricity.

Green Up Program


Renewable Energy


green-e title with logo Green-e is the nation's leading independent consumer protection program for the sale of renewable energy and greenhouse gas reductions.

green power title with bulb logo

Power Content


In 2012, the Renewable Energy supplied through the Green Up program comes from four resources:

  • Geothermal Energy from the Raft River project in Idaho. Water heated deep in the earth's crust is pumped up and used to heat a "binary liquid" which forms a gas at lower temperatures than water. As this vapor expands, it spins a turbine which generates electricity.


  • Biogas Energy from Dairy Digesters in Washington and Idaho. Methane, which is much more harmful to the environment than C02, is produced by anaerobic fermentation of dairy waste, where it is captured and burned in an engine-generator to produce electricity.


  • Hydropower from irrigation canal projects in Idaho. Electricity is produced by turbine-generators powered by the force of running water in irrigation canals.


  • Wind Energy from the Pa'Tu wind farm in Oregon. Pa'Tu is a Chinook Indian term for nearby Mt. Adams and refers to the sustaining power of mountain waters. Sited on a family farm, six General Electric wind turbines produce up to 1.5 Megawatts (MW) each.




Product Content Label
image Seattle City Light image2

This product is made up of the following new renewable energy resources. For residential customers, this product matches 25%, 50%, and 100% of your estimated electricity usage. For commercial customers, this product may match up to 100% of your estimated electricity usage.1 For specific information about this electricity product, call Seattle City Light at (206) 684–3800 or visit: www.seattle.gov/greenup.
Green-e Energy® Certified New Renewable Resources in Green Up2 Generation Location
Biogas 14% Washington & Idaho
Geothermal 73% Idaho
Small Hydro 3% Idaho
Wind 10% Oregon
TOTAL 100% Washington, Oregon & Idaho
1 Your percentage of renewable energy power is increased by the amount of green power you sign–up to receive. Residential customers may choose 25%, 50% or 100% renewable energy power options, based on a typical residential customer using 9,600 kilowatts (kWh) per year. Commercial customers may purchase green power in any amount.
2 The remainder of your electricity contains the following fuel mix of electricity resources: Hydro (92.4%), Wind (4.1%), Nuclear (2.5%), Coal (0.5%), Others* (0.5%) *Includes Natural Gas, Biomass, Waste, Petroleum and Landfill Gases.
image3 The Green-e Energy® program certifies that Green Up meets the minimum environmental and consumer protection standards established by the non–profit Center for Resource Solutions. For more information on Green-e Energy® certification requirements, call 1-888-63-GREEN or visit: www.green-e.org


Stateline Wind Project


Seattle City Light's Fuel Mix

Each year, Seattle City Light updates its “fuel mix” -- the types of resources used to supply power throughout the year. Here's the breakdown for 2011:

Fuel Mix
Generation Type Percentage
Hydro 92.4%
Wind 4.1%
Nuclear 2.5%
Coal 0.5%
Others* 0.5%
Total 100%

* Includes natural gas, biomass, waste, petroleum, landfill gases and other.


Calculations are based on power purchases for 2011 reported by the Utility to the Washington State Department of Commerce in 2012.

More information on fuel mix.



Diablo Dam on the Skagit River
Diablo Dam on the Skagit River.

Click here for more contact information! Green Up Customer Service

(206) 684-3800



For information on your household carbon emissions and how to calculate them, see:
Carbon Calculator
 


The Seattle City Light Web Team:

Seattle City Light -- 700 5th Avenue, Suite 3200, Seattle, WA 98104-5031 -- 206.684.3000

Mailing address: 700 5th Avenue, Suite 3200, P.O. Box 34023 Seattle, WA 98124-4023