Showing posts with label utilities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label utilities. Show all posts

Squirrel caught in switch at 5 Corners in Edmonds takes out power to thousands of Sno County residents

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Snohomish county PUD power outage
According to My Edmonds News

Thousands of Snohomish County PUD customers in Edmonds lost power for a few hours Monday morning, May 30, 2022 after a squirrel became caught in a switch at the Five Corners substation, according to PUD spokesperson Aaron Swaney.

The squirrel did not survive the mishap.

The outage occurred just before 9am and power was restored to customers by about 12:30pm.

This included a few homes in Woodway.



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Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utilities expand assistant and payment plans for customers

Friday, April 29, 2022

SEATTLE (April 28, 2022) - Seattle City Light (SCL) and Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) today announced new flexible payment plans and expanded assistance for customers who are struggling to pay their bills. 

Customers are urged to visit seattle.gov/UtilityBillHelp or contact the utilities immediately to learn more about their options. Both utilities offer flexible payment plans with no late fees for all customers, and for income-eligible residential customers, significant discounts and emergency assistance money are available.

“We know many of our customers face economic uncertainty that has been exacerbated by the pandemic,” said Andrew Lee, Interim General Manager and CEO of Seattle Public Utilities. 
“We are taking steps to ensure our customers are aware that assistance is available. We encourage any customer who is behind on their utility bill to contact us today for assistance.”

Approximately 8,500 SPU residential customers and 36,000 SCL residential customers are behind on paying their utility bills. About 1,200 SPU commercial customers and 4,000 SCL commercial customers are in arrears.

While the City of Seattle moratorium on utility shut-offs expired on Friday, April 15, SCL and SPU are focused on proactively engaging with delinquent customers to help them access assistance to get current on their bills. 

SPU and SCL will be communicating directly to customers who are in arrears to make sure they’re aware of resources available to them before beginning the process of shutoffs for non-payment. 

Customers who remain current on their payment plan and current bill will not be at risk for shutoff. 

Customers at risk of having their services shut off will receive additional, direct communications prior to a shutoff taking place.

“Many customers have struggled financially and made tough decisions about which bills to pay. We want them to know that there are options to help get them back on track and alleviate some of the stress through flexible payment plans or assistance programs,” said Debra Smith, General Manager and CEO at Seattle City Light. 
“Our aim is to get customers to a place where they aren’t facing shut-off for non-payment when the process resumes. We’re here for you and want to help.”

Residential customers can visit seattle.gov/UtilityBillHelp or call 206-684-3000 to set up a flexible payment plan and to find out what assistance is available to them. The City’s Utility Discount Program offers discounts of 60% off electric bills and 50% off water, sewage and solid waste bills for income-eligible residential customers. Utility representatives will also let customers know what types of emergency assistance money might be available to them.

Commercial customers who are behind on their utility bills may also sign up for payment plans. They are encouraged to visit seattle.gov/UtilityBillHelp, call (206) 684-3000 or contact their SPU or SCL representative directly for assistance.

To learn about other assistance for customers financially impacted by Covid, including those seeking assistance to avoid eviction, please visit City of Seattle resources.



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PSE partners with Taco Time to help restaurants go carbon neutral

Wednesday, March 9, 2022

Taco Time photo by Steven H. Robinson


BELLEVUE, Wash. – Puget Sound Energy (PSE) and Taco Time Northwest are working together to make all 79 Taco Time restaurants carbon neutral. Taco Time has signed on to match 100% of its energy used with renewable power through PSE’s Green Power and Carbon Balance programs.

By matching its electric and natural gas usage with clean energy options, Taco Time restaurants will reduce their carbon footprint by more than 15.5 million pounds of CO2 every year – the equivalent to not driving nearly 18 million miles each year.

“It’s wonderful to see a Pacific Northwest institution showing its commitment to our region by participating in PSE programs that invest in local renewable energy projects,” said Mary Kipp, PSE’s President and CEO. “This type of partnership is another way we’re working together to create a clean energy future for all.”

PSE makes it easy for businesses to meet corporate sustainability and clean energy goals through its renewable energy programs which includes; Green Power, Carbon Balance and Renewable Natural Gas. Each one offers a way for businesses to reduce its carbon footprint while making use of the Pacific Northwest’s abundant clean power resources.

“As a local, family-owned company, headquartered in Washington state for nearly 60 years, we believe it is important to sustainably use our region’s natural resources so they’re available for generations to come,” said Chris Tonkin, Taco Time co-president. 
“Almost a decade ago, we launched an industry leading and nationally recognized composting program. We’re thrilled to take the next significant step in our commitment to preserving the environment by making our business 100% powered by renewable energy and offsetting any natural gas usage with carbon offsets in northwest forests.”

PSE is committed to working together to create a clean energy future for all while setting an aspirational goal to be a Beyond Net Zero Carbon company by 2045. PSE will target reducing its own carbon emissions to net zero and go beyond by helping other sectors to enable carbon reduction across the state of Washington. Partnering with successful Northwest businesses like Taco Time, helps PSE engage more people in that mission.

Check out how Taco Time is going carbon neutral here.

Founded in 1962, Taco Time Northwest is a family-owned business operating 79 restaurants throughout the Pacific Northwest. Operated by the fourth generation of the founding family, these restaurants run independently of the nationwide Taco Time franchise. Taco Time Northwest offers the ultimate quick service experience featuring fresh, healthy salads, tacos and burritos, sourcing local ingredients whenever possible. 

For more information about Taco Time Northwest, visit www.TacoTimeNW.com. Follow Taco Time Northwest on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/TacoTimeNW and on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/TacoTimeNW.



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2021 Lake Forest Park Water District Water Protector Award

Friday, February 18, 2022

Cheryl Brady, 2021 Water Protector
Photo courtesy LFP WD
Customers of Lake Forest Park Water District enjoy untreated well water because they pump from an aquifer that has consistently produced an adequate supply of quality water. 

"We value this resource and in an effort to encourage the protection of it, each year the district recognizes someone that has made a prominent effort to protect it."

As a strong champion of the Water District, a voice of courageous support and practical action we present this year’s Water Protector Award to Cheryl Brady. 

Cheryl has been inspirational in her dedication to protect our water and raise community awareness of this great resource that we enjoy. 

She was a founding member of the Wellfield Protection and Communication Advisory Committee (Adcom) and has served faithfully since that time, leading with a willingness to take on any task. 

During the pandemic Cheryl was chairperson and instrumental in holding the group together; despite the challenges of zoom meetings she encouraged dialog and brought energy and a sense of fun to the group while progressing on various projects.

Presented to Cheryl Brady “With appreciation of your steadfast leadership and continual source water protection advocacy.”

Congratulations Mrs. Cheryl Brady! Your continuing engagement, leadership and advocacy for protection of our community’s resources are important, exemplary and inspirational. On behalf of the LFPWD community, thank you!

LFPWD Commissioners Dave Hammond, Eli Zehner, Bill Donahue, our General Manager Alan Kerley, our District staff and community thank her for her service.



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Puget Sound Energy files three-year rate increase proposal

Thursday, February 3, 2022

BELLEVUE, Wash. (Feb.1, 2022) – Puget Sound Energy has filed a three-year rate plan request with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC)

For residential customers, the proposal would increase rates in the first year by a net of 12.9% for electricity and 11.9% for natural gas, starting in January 2023, with increases of between 1.2 and 2.7% in the second and third years. 

If the request is approved, a typical residential electric customer would see an average monthly bill increase of $12 and a typical natural gas customer a monthly increase of $9 next year.

The proposal enables the next phases of the transition to a clean energy future, including meeting the 2030 and 2045 carbon-reduction targets set by the 2019 Washington Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA), as well as recovery of approximately $3.1 billion in reliability and service upgrades made over the past four years that are not currently factored into rates. 

Additionally, the proposal includes nearly $10 million per year in expanded assistance for low-income and economically disadvantaged customers.

“We’re asking more of our energy infrastructure now than ever before, whether it’s to help withstand the demands of record-setting weather such as we saw in 2021 or to do our part in meeting the challenge of climate change by 2030 and beyond,” said Andy Wappler, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer. 

Actions proposed by PSE include a new discount rate for low-income customers and seniors, increased funding for low-income bill payment assistance, as well as a new program that would forgive the debt of eligible customers facing significant past-due balances. 

Historically, PSE residential electric bills have increased at less than two percent per year for the last 10 years, with PSE residential gas customer bills declining over the same period.

“We encourage all of our customers to make sure they are taking full advantage of our energy efficiency rebates and tips, too, to make sure their energy dollars aren’t wasted,” Wappler noted. “Our online energy analysis tools and our team of Energy Advisors can help everyone use their electricity and gas wisely.”

Energy infrastructure improvements reflected in the request include:
  • PSE’s Baker River hydroelectric project to maintain the safety and integrity of a vital source of carbon-free energy
  • The Energize Eastside transmission project serving as the backbone of growing Eastside communities that haven’t been upgraded since the 1960s
  • Complete installation of PSE’s advanced metering infrastructure to replace obsolete equipment with meters that enable robust, two-way communication, which will be essential as we add more clean energy resources to our grid
  • Investments in strengthening and modernizing the electrical grid to improve the system’s resilience and reliability, especially during severe weather and other peak demand events resulting from climate change
  • Support for electric vehicle adoption, including PSE Up and Go public charging stations and customer education around electric vehicles
  • Installation of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) such as local rooftop, ground solar and battery storage programs to double what they are today in partnership with homes and businesses
  • Continued modernization and decarbonization of the natural gas pipeline system, improving pipeline safety and reliability and integrating low carbon fuels such as renewable natural gas and green hydrogen
  • Significant upgrades to customer-facing technology and online self-service tools to improve efficiency and enhance customer experience

Business customer increases would vary according to the tariff service categorization for electric and natural gas customers.

More information here



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Recology honors Martin Luther King Jr day as a holiday

Tuesday, January 18, 2022


Recology was closed for Monday's Federal Holiday in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. They notified all customers by robocall.

Each collection day this week will be pushed one day forward: Monday on Tuesday, Tuesday on Wednesday until they finish the week by collecting Friday customers on Saturday.

Recology contracts with Shoreline and half of Seattle. They were never on strike but were delayed by the weather.



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Republic Services is collecting garbage, yard waste, and recycling this week

Photo courtesy Republic Services
Attention:
  • Lake Forest Park
  • Kenmore
  • Woodway

Republic Services, whose collection routes were disrupted by winter weather followed by a Teamsters strike in California, is back on the job this week.

They collected on Monday and their websites say: 

Service Alert

Routes are running as scheduled. Please leave your carts at the curb until collected.

Shoreline and Seattle are contracted with different companies.


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Update and Message from Republic Services for January 12, 13, 14

Saturday, January 15, 2022

Republic Services contracts with Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, and Woodway for garbage, compost, recycling services

"We regret to inform you that this morning Republic Services continues to be hampered by the out-of-state union activity that began on Wednesday at our Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, and Lynnwood locations. 

"As you may recall this service disruption is related to a labor issue in California that has nothing to do with our Washington based drivers. 

"We continue working diligently with our city partners to communicate with impacted customers and resume regular service delivery operations as quickly and efficiently as possible.

"We will make calls to all of our impacted customers. Our call center team is also standing by to answer questions and address concerns.

"Republic Services is committed to working with our partners to provide exceptional service to our cities and customers. We take that commitment seriously and apologize for this inconvenience. Thank you for your continued patience as we navigate this temporary, unexpected situation."

Republic Services will be collecting all your regular and recycled material at no charge on your next regular service collection day to customers affected from service January 12, 13, and 14, 2022.

Visit Republic Services for more information or call the customer service phone lines (Residential: 206-682-9730 OR Commercial: 206-682-3037).

Click Here for Additional Information and Updates

For your reference;
  • Lake Forest Park - Republic Services
  • Kenmore - Republic Services
  • Shoreline - Recology
  • Woodway - Republic Services
  • Seattle - Recology and Waste Management
Updated to show which companies contract with local cities.


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SPU crew makes quick work of replacing broken section of water main last weekend

Friday, January 14, 2022

SPU crews responding to break in water main
Photo by Pam Cross

On Sunday, January 9, 2022 Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) crews responded to a water main break at 1st Ave NW and NW 193 St. 

The break involved an 8-inch cast iron water main and impacted 22 customer water service lines. Some customers may have experienced a temporary decrease in water pressure or interruption in water service while crews were repairing the pipe.

Staff removed the broken piece of pipe and replaced it with a stainless steel pipe.

Photo by Pam Cross
To learn more about how SPU maintains approximately 1,600 miles of drinking water infrastructure, please visit:

https://www.seattle.gov/utilities/neighborhood-projects/water-repair

If you discover a soft spot in the street with water bubbling up from underneath (and you live west of the freeway), call SPU 24-hour emergencies (water, sewer, or drainage), at (206) 386-1800.

Corrected location of repair.

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Some Recology customers in Shoreline may not get their compost picked up this week

Thursday, January 13, 2022

Recology bins
To better serve customers, Recology is prioritizing recycling collections to catch up from the inclement weather event. 

As a result, residential yard/food waste collection may be delayed for some customers.

If your material is not collected, it will be rescheduled for your next yard waste/organics collection day. 

If this occurs, customers may place out double the amount in paper bags next to their existing yard waste bin at no additional charge.

Specific details about all Shoreline Recology services here



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Republic Services did not pick up trash, recycling, or compost Wednesday in Lake Forest Park

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Photo courtesy Republic Services

This is an important message from Republic Services, your trash, recycle, and compost service provider.

Due to a temporary labor disruption in the Seattle market, we are unable to service customers as scheduled Wednesday January 12, 2022. We will be collecting double your regular material at no charge on your next regular service collection day. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding."

Visit Republic Services (https://www.republicservices.com/muni.../lake-forest-park-wa) for more information or call the customer service phone lines (Residential: 206-682-9730 OR Commercial: 206-682-3037).

KING5 reports that it was a Teamsters action in support of a strike in California.


Update for January 12 and 13 - Message from Republic Services

This is an important message from Republic Services, your trash, recycle, and compost service provider. 

Due to a temporary work stoppage led by union members from out of state, we are unable to service customers as scheduled Thursday January 13, 2022. We will be collecting double your regular material at no charge on your next regular service collection day. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding."

This applies to customers from Wednesday, January 12, 2022 who did not receive pick up.

Visit Republic Services for more information or call the customer service phone lines (Residential: 206-682-9730 OR Commercial: 206-682-3037).



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Water main repaired in Richmond Beach

Friday, January 7, 2022

Approximate location of water main break
Google maps
35 customers in a section of Richmond Beach had their water restored just after midnight on Friday, January 7, 2022 after an eight inch water main broke.

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) crews repaired the break, located near Richmond Beach Drive and NW 195th. 

According to a spokesperson from Seattle Public Utilities, water service was out four hours.

1-13-2022 - Article updated with information from Seattle Public Utilities

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Recology Shoreline resumes collections but one day late this week

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

Recology robocalled its Tuesday customers to let them know the garbage would be picked up, but one day late this week.

Recology has resumed regularly scheduled collection service effective Tuesday, January 4th. Service days will be pushed back for a single day for this week. 

Tuesday customers will be serviced Wednesday, Wednesday on Thursday, and so on with Friday customers being serviced on Saturday. 

To make up for last week’s missed collection, customers are permitted to place out double the usual amount on their next regularly scheduled collection day.  

Extra garbage should be placed in plastic bags and set next to your garbage cart.  

For customers with a bi-weekly recycling service, your recycling will be picked up on the next regularly scheduled service day. Extra recycling may be placed alongside your existing bins in a cardboard box, paper bag, or clear plastic bag.

We thank all of our customers for their patience and understanding as we resume regular collection services and protect the safety of our drivers. Please stay up to date by following our website and social media for more details. 

More details here



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Alert from LFP Water District: Winter frost damage

Sunday, January 2, 2022

Photo by Austin Carpp

This alert is from the Lake Forest Park Water District but can apply to customers of the three other water districts that serve our area. Notify your water district if you find a problem.

We are issuing this *urgent* alert to warn you of potential frost damage to your plumbing, and request your help to find and report any suspected leaks in your neighborhood.

Burst water pipe
Photo by Austin Carpp
We have recently come out of sub-freezing conditions, and during the thawing period we have noticed a significant increase in water usage in our distribution system. 

This means that there are likely a number of our customers that have sustained frost damage to their outdoor fixtures or irrigation systems and are now leaking.

This excess water usage will result in unnecessarily high bills with no benefit. We have already tracked down several cases of broken pipes, but know there are more. 

So we are asking you to please check your residence to verify that you have withstood the arctic blast without incidence.

For those that are on vacation and need help to check your yard, let us know.

If you discover you have a leak, and need your water shut-off in order to repair it, please contact us.

Wishing you the best in the new year!

Alan Kerley, General Manager, Lake Forest Park Water District
p: 206-365-3211
e: Alan@LFPWD.org



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Residents encouraged to delay trips to King County garbage and recycling transfer stations until roadways are safer

Friday, December 31, 2021

King County Transfer Station in Shoreline
Photo by Diane Hettrick

King County’s Solid Waste Division is encouraging residents to delay trips to garbage and recycling transfer stations until roadways are safer. 

That will also prevent some transfer stations from exceeding capacity while icy conditions limit the ability to haul waste to the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill in Maple Valley.



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Woodway plowing primary routes

Monday, December 27, 2021

Photo courtesy Town of Woodway
Woodway focused Monday on plowing primary routes, such as Woodway Park Road, Timberlane, Wachusett, North Deer and Algonquin. 

Depending on the weather, they plan to move to secondary routes.

If you have any questions or see a significant problem area, call 206-542-0183.  In the event of an emergency, call 911.

Republic Services did not pick up on Monday. Contact Republic Services at 425-778-0188 if you have any questions.
 


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Republic cancelled collection services on Monday - no word yet about Tuesday

Republic Service Alert for 12/27/2021

Due to hazardous road conditions and our commitment to public safety, Lake Forest Park Republic suspended all routes for Monday, December 27, 2021.

They will be collecting double your regular material at no charge on your next regular service collection day.

No announcement yet for Tuesday.

Customer Service:

Residential: 206-682-9730
Commercial: 206-682-3037

Normal Hours:

Monday – Friday, 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Saturday, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm



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Recology cancelling all residential and commercial collections Tuesday

Shoreline Recology

Due to inclement weather conditions, Recology is cancelling all residential and commercial collection services Tuesday, December 28, 2021. 

Go to Recology's website for the latest updates on when collection services will resume. 

You can also contact customer service at 206-763-4444 or shoreline@recology.com

Recology is robocalling all Tuesday customers to let them know there will be no pick up.




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Lake Forest Park Reservoir cover replacement project update

Thursday, December 2, 2021

SPU's Lake Forest Park Reservoir
Aerial photo by Jared Solano. Instagram @Juarez.Solano

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) Contractor Crews began construction on the Lake Forest Park Reservoir Floating Cover Replacement Project on May 17, 2021 and hoped to have it done by the end of this year.

The 60million gallon reservoir is located on NE 195th by Horizon View Park and is a major source of clean drinking water for SPU customers.

The project will update the aging reservoir with new liners and floating cover.

Earlier this month, the contractor completed construction work in the east section of the Lake Forest Park Reservoir and has worked to bring that section of the reservoir back into service.

The contractor was unable to finish construction in the west section of the reservoir due to ongoing shipment delays.

Therefore, the contractor has paused construction and has temporarily demobilized from the site.

The contractor will return in spring 2022 to complete the remaining work for the Lake Forest Park Reservoir Floating Cover Replacement Project.

Remaining Construction Activities
  • When construction resumes, it should take about 4 months to complete work. Most of the remaining work will be focused in the western section of the reservoir, and construction activities will include:
  • Remobilizing equipment and materials at the site
  • Inspecting and cleaning the liner in the west section of the reservoir
  • Installing the floating cover over the west section of the reservoir and performing remaining equipment upgrades
  • Bringing the reservoir back into operation once final inspection and testing are complete
  • Final site restoration and demobilization
Stay Informed

SPU will send additional notice prior to resuming work in 2022. In the meantime, you can learn more about the project online at: www.seattle.gov/utilities/neighborhood-projects/lfp-reservoir-covering.

Thank You for Your Understanding During Construction

We know that construction is impactful, and we thank you for your ongoing patience and understanding while we work to complete this necessary upgrade to our drinking water distribution system.


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PSE replacing gas and electric meters across entire service area

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

Photo courtesy PSE
PSE (Puget Sound Energy) is updating their electric and natural gas metering equipment across our entire service area. 

This is a six-year project, scheduled to complete in 2023. 

The project will involve swapping out almost 2 million meters – 1.1 million electric meters and 800,000 gas modules – along with the supporting infrastructure across all 10 counties served by PSE.

Their automated meter reading (AMR) system is approaching the end of its projected lifespan. 

PSE was one of the first adopters of digital AMR technology in the country in the late 1990s, making them an industry leader in metering technology during that time. 

Today, AMR hardware and software are becoming increasingly obsolete, making them difficult to support and maintain.

AMI (advanced metering infrastructure) is the current standard for metering technology and is a crucial step. 

It uses two-way communication and on-board memory (AMR has one-way communication and no memory) to send meter data through a secured wireless network.


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