Wiktor Wise
Seattle's electricity primarily comes from hydroelectric power, generated by dams on the Skagit and Pend Oreille rivers. Seattle City Light, the public utility that provides electricity to Seattle, generates over 78% of its power from carbon-neutral hydroelectricity. The remaining power is sourced from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), a mix of renewable sources, and market purchases. While hydropower is a significant source of electricity in Washington, the state is also working towards incorporating more renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and address the challenges posed by climate change and increasing electricity demands.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Electricity provider | Seattle City Light |
| Public responsibility for electrical energy | 1890 with the creation of the Department of Lighting and Water Works |
| Hydroelectric power development | 1902 |
| Electricity supply from hydroelectric power | 1905 |
| Lighting Department creation | 1910 |
| Skagit River Hydroelectric Project | Began supplying power in 1924 |
| Boundary Project | Began operation in 1967 and supplies over half of City Light's power generation |
| Carbon-neutral status | Achieved in 2005 and maintained since |
| Number of customers | 493,663 metered customers |
| Annual electricity usage | 9,157,494 megawatt-hours |
| Electricity sources | Hydroelectricity, nuclear, wind, coal, natural gas, biogas |
| Percentage of electricity from clean, carbon-free hydroelectricity | Over 78% |
| Percentage of electricity from hydropower dams on Skagit and Pend Oreille rivers | 80% |
| Percentage of electricity from BPA | 28% |
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What You'll Learn
- Seattle's electricity comes from a mix of hydroelectric power, nuclear, wind, coal, natural gas, and biogas
- The city's public utility, Seattle City Light, is the main electricity provider
- The Boundary Project in northern Washington supplies over half of City Light's power
- Seattle's electricity comes from dams on rivers, such as the Skagit and Pend Oreille
- Seattle City Light was the first electric utility in the US to offset all carbon emissions
Seattle's electricity comes from a mix of hydroelectric power, nuclear, wind, coal, natural gas, and biogas
Seattle's electricity comes from a mix of sources, with a heavy reliance on hydroelectric power. Seattle City Light is the public utility that provides electricity to Seattle and some surrounding areas. It was created by the citizens of Seattle in 1902 to offer affordable and environmentally responsible power to the city.
In a typical year, about 40% of Seattle's power comes from fully owned hydroelectric projects on the Skagit and Pend Oreille Rivers. This is supplemented by power from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), a federal nonprofit wholesale electricity provider. The BPA operates several dams in the Columbia River Basin, including the Grand Coulee and Chief Joseph dams. Seattle City Light purchases any additional power needed from other energy providers.
The official fuel mix statistics for Seattle City Light in 2016 showed that approximately 88% of its energy sources were hydroelectric. The remaining 12% was made up of nuclear (5%), wind (4%), coal (1%), natural gas (1%), and biogas (1%).
While Seattle has a strong history of energy conservation and was the first utility company to become greenhouse gas neutral, the increasing demand for electricity is straining the electrical grid. The state of Washington is transitioning to cleaner energy sources, and by the end of 2025, utilities will no longer be able to serve customers with coal-fired electricity.
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The city's public utility, Seattle City Light, is the main electricity provider
Seattle City Light is the main electricity provider in Seattle. It is the public utility providing electricity to the city and parts of its metropolitan area, including Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, and parts of unincorporated King County, Burien, Normandy Park, SeaTac, Renton, and Tukwila. Seattle City Light serves around 422,810 metered customers, who use an annual 9,157,494 megawatt-hours.
Seattle City Light was created by the citizens of Seattle in 1902 to provide affordable, reliable, and environmentally responsible electric power to the city and its suburbs. In 1951, the city purchased the private electrical power supply operations, making the Lighting Department the sole supplier. The Boundary Project in northern Washington began operation in 1967 and currently supplies over half of City Light's power generation.
Most of the electricity provided by Seattle City Light comes from utility-owned hydroelectric resources located in the Pacific Northwest. In a typical year, about 40% of their power comes from fully owned hydroelectric projects on the Skagit and Pend Oreille Rivers. The remaining power is generated from a mix of power sources purchased from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and other renewable sources.
Seattle City Light has been carbon-neutral every year since 2005, when it became the first electric utility in the United States to fully offset all its carbon emissions. To maintain this status, they purchase Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) to offset carbon from energy purchased from other providers. They also invest in energy conservation to minimize electricity demand.
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The Boundary Project in northern Washington supplies over half of City Light's power
Seattle City Light is the public utility that provides electricity to Seattle, Washington, and parts of its metropolitan area, including Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, and parts of unincorporated King County, Burien, Normandy Park, SeaTac, Renton, and Tukwila. Seattle City Light serves approximately 961,000 residents (493,663 metered customers) and is the 10th largest public utility in the United States.
The Boundary Project in northern Washington began operation in 1967 and currently supplies over half of City Light's power generation. The Boundary Project is a hydroelectric dam project on the Pend Oreille River in the northeast corner of Washington state, just south of the border with British Columbia, Canada. The Pend Oreille River system is highly regulated, with flows controlled by seven hydroelectric and storage projects upstream from the Boundary Dam and two in Canada downstream from the project. The Boundary Dam is a concrete arch gravity-type dam, and tours of the facility are available to the public.
In addition to the power generated by the Boundary Project, Seattle City Light also generates power from several utility-owned hydroelectric resources located in the Pacific Northwest. In a typical year, about 40% of their power comes from fully owned hydroelectric projects on the Skagit and Pend Oreille Rivers. The remaining power is generated from a mix of power sources purchased from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and other renewable sources.
Seattle City Light has a long history of energy conservation and was the first utility company offering electricity to become a greenhouse gas-neutral entity. In 2005, it became the first electric utility in the United States to fully offset all its carbon emissions and has maintained carbon neutrality every year since.
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Seattle's electricity comes from dams on rivers, such as the Skagit and Pend Oreille
Seattle's electricity comes from a mix of sources, including hydroelectric power from dams on rivers, such as the Skagit and Pend Oreille. Seattle City Light, the public utility providing electricity to Seattle, is the 10th largest public utility in the United States and serves approximately 961,000 residents.
The Skagit River Hydroelectric Project, located in the upper watershed of the Skagit River in the Cascade Mountains, is a series of three hydroelectric dams (Gorge, Diablo, and Ross) that provide approximately 20-25% of Seattle's electricity. The project is owned and operated by Seattle City Light and began supplying power in 1924.
The Pend Oreille River Hydroelectric Project, also known as the Boundary Dam project, is located on the Pend Oreille River in northeastern Washington near the Idaho border. Completed in 1967, it supplies half of Seattle's hydroelectric power and almost a quarter of its power from all sources.
In addition to hydroelectric power, Seattle City Light also generates electricity from other renewable sources and purchases additional power from energy providers like the Bonneville Power Administration to meet the city's demand. Seattle has a long history of energy conservation and was the first utility company to become a greenhouse gas-neutral entity. The city has also taken steps to reduce its environmental impact, such as modifying water regulations to protect salmon nests in the Skagit River.
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Seattle City Light was the first electric utility in the US to offset all carbon emissions
Seattle City Light is the public utility that provides electricity to Seattle, Washington, in the United States. It also serves parts of its metropolitan area, including Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, and parts of unincorporated King County, Burien, Normandy Park, SeaTac, Renton, and Tukwila.
Seattle City Light is the 10th largest public utility in the United States and the first municipal utility in the US to own and operate a hydroelectric facility. In 2005, it became the first electric utility in the United States to fully offset all its carbon emissions and has remained carbon neutral every year since.
The majority of the electricity provided by Seattle City Light comes from carbon-free, utility-owned hydroelectric resources located in the Northwest. In a typical year, about 40% of the power comes from fully owned hydroelectric projects on the Skagit and Pend Oreille Rivers. The remaining power is generated from a mix of power sources purchased from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and other renewable sources.
Seattle City Light achieves carbon neutrality by divesting ownership in a coal-fired plant and other fossil fuel projects, investing in renewables, and increasing its long-standing energy efficiency programs. It maintains its carbon-neutral status by purchasing Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) to offset carbon from energy purchased from other providers.
Seattle has a long history of energy conservation and was the first utility company offering electricity to become a greenhouse gas-neutral entity. The city is known for its early pioneering efforts in the use of electricity and was one of the first locations to manufacture lighting systems and have electrified street railways.
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Frequently asked questions
Seattle City Light is the public utility that provides electricity to Seattle and parts of its metropolitan area. The majority of the electricity comes from carbon-free and renewable hydroelectric power.
Hydroelectric power, or hydropower, is power generated from the energy of water moving from higher to lower elevations. Dams on rivers are used to harness this energy to generate electricity.
Other sources of electricity in Seattle include nuclear, wind, solar, coal, natural gas, and biogas.
Seattle City Light generates electricity from its own projects while also buying it from other providers. They have long-term contracts with the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), a nonprofit wholesale electricity provider. They also sell surplus energy to customers in the Northwest and Southwest.
Seattle has established renewable energy standards and enacted the Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA) to phase out coal-fired electricity and transition to renewable or non-emitting sources. They are also exploring new technologies and practices to ensure continued access to clean and affordable power.
