 Seattle City Light
News Release |
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| Subject:
No rate changes at Seattle City Light for 2009 |
For Immediate Release:
9/26/2008 11:00:00 AM |
For More Information Contact:
Scott Thomsen (206) 386-4233
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No rate changes at Seattle City Light for 2009
SEATTLE – Mayor Greg Nickels announced today that Seattle City Light will not seek an increase in its electricity rates for 2009.
“Low-cost electricity is an important advantage for Seattle in developing and maintaining a strong economy,” Nickels said. “City Light’s ability to keep rates low directly affects the bottom line of every business and the cost of living for every resident.”
Over the past six years, while many utilities across the country were raising their rates, City Light lowered the cost of electricity for its customers. In the most recent reduction, City Light cut its rates for the 2007-2008 biennium by 8.4 percent. Since 2002, City Light rates have decreased 12 percent.
Residential customers currently pay about 6 cents per kilowatt-hour of electricity. Seattle has the lowest residential and commercial electrical rates amongst comparably-sized cities in the United States.
City Light's current rates should meet the utility's financial requirements in 2009. The utility will set future rates based on hydro conditions, wholesale energy prices, inflation and other factors such as weather conditions and natural gas prices.
Visit the mayor’s web site at www.seattle.gov/mayor. Get the mayor’s inside view on efforts to promote transportation, public safety, economic opportunity and healthy communities by signing up for The Nickels Newsletter at www.seattle.gov/mayor/newsletter_signup.htm
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Office of the Mayor
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