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

Puget Sound Energy’s Bill Discount Rate and Warm Winter Campaign

Friday, December 29, 2023

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) has shared information about community donations and a bill discount rate program during the winter months. 

Bill Discount Rate

PSE has launched a Bill Discount Rate program to save customers money on their monthly energy bill. Income-eligible customers can now reduce their PSE energy bills by up to 45% a month. The program is designed to be easily accessible and in most cases no proof of income is required. The program can be used in addition to our other assistance programs. 

Check for eligibility HERE. The only information needed is household size, county of residency, and monthly household income. 

Warm Winters

Puget Sound Energy is also proud to share our support of 75 local nonprofit organizations across the 10-county service area in providing warm meals, clothing, toys, and gifts for those in need this winter. Our $200,000 donation helped community groups host regional holiday celebrations to spread holiday cheer and ensure all can experience the spirit of the season.

PSE is proud to fund these generous organizations in supporting our neighbors in need, helping to ease the burden some are experiencing this holiday season. Warming hearts, warming hands, and warming communities – and wishing our friends a warm and happy holiday!

King County: 
  • Asian Counseling Referral Services, 
  • Byrd Barr Place, 
  • Dignity for Divas, 
  • El Centro de la Raza, 
  • Harvest Against Hunger, 
  • Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank, 
  • Kandelia, 
  • KidVantage (in Shoreline)
  • Mount Si Senior Center, 
  • Outdoors for All, 
  • St Vincent de Paul, 
  • Treehouse for Kids and 
  • Vashon Interfaith Council to Prevent Homelessness

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Update on broken water main on 15th NE

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Site of broken water main, 15th NE at NE 196th
Photo courtesy North City Water District

A water main broke in the area of NE 196th and 15th Ave NE late in the afternoon of Monday, December 11, 2023. Our crews mobilized and arrived onsite to begin the repair shortly after we realized what was happening. 

The Shoreline Fire Department did a great job blocking traffic in the intersection with the ladder truck. The Lake Forest Park Police Department did a great job of directing traffic away from the area. 

The City of Shoreline Public Works Department helped by donating their traffic cones and barricades, and road signs again to keep the public away while our crews dug down through asphalt to find the water main. 

The District’s vactor truck was used extensively to remove the moist soil in the area significantly quicker than it could have if it had to have been done by hand. Given that the water main was buried over 5 feet in this area, it would have taken a long time.

Approximately a dozen homes were without water for the evening until just before midnight, after a repair band was placed around the water main and the area backfilled. Crews cleaned up most of the area until shortly after 2:00am then returned first thing in the morning to finishing cleaning up the site.

We want to thank everyone for all their help, and especially the passerby who called in and reported the break. We wouldn’t have been able to make such a quick response to fix this break without their help.

--Diane Pottinger, District Manager, North City Water District


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Water main break on 15th NE in Shoreline

Water main break on 15th NE at NE 196th in Shoreline
Photo courtesy North City Water District

The North City Water District is experiencing a water main break in the area of NE 196th and 15th Ave NE. 

Shoreline Fire District and Lake Forest Park Police are assisting the District by helping to block traffic while other crew members are working to repair the break. 

At time of publication, the Water is back on in this area. The road is still blocked while the crews finish up with asphalt removal. They hope to be complete by 2:00am with the final clean up Tuesday morning during daylight hours. 

The District asks, "If possible, please avoid this area while we work on the repairs.


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NE Perkins Way in Lake Forest Park shut down Friday after car hits power pole

Sunday, December 10, 2023

After a single vehicle collision with a power pole on NE Perkins Way in Lake Forest Park on Friday, December 8, 2023, the road was shut down between 23rd and 35th Ave NE. 

City Light had to send crews to replace the pole and restore the lines.

There were no reported injuries.

No visual is available.      


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Seattle City Light 2024 rate increases

Monday, November 6, 2023

Seattle City Light will increases rates effective January 1, 2024. In addition to the planned 4.5% base rate increase adopted by the Seattle City Council last fall, they will apply two automatic surcharges: 

  • A 1% “passthrough” increase for higher costs from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) in 2024.
  • A 4% Rate Stabilization Account (RSA) surcharge due to increased net wholesale power costs resulting from unfavorable weather and market price conditions.

Seattle City Light aims to provide stable, predictable rates that allow them to deliver sustainable, reliable, and affordable service. Under typical hydro and weather conditions, City Light’s owned and contracted resources produce more power than our residential and business customers can use, and the surplus is sold on the wholesale market. 

The revenues from surplus electricity sales help to keep customer rates low. When there are fluctuations in this revenue, the utility accesses the Rate Stabilization Account (RSA), a cash reserve of approximately $100 million. The RSA stabilizes rates by buffering the financial impacts of uncontrollable external factors like weather, wholesale market prices and hydroelectric production.

Over the past year, drought conditions reduced our hydroelectric generation while colder winter and warmer summer weather caused greater electricity demand regionwide. 

For City Light, customer demand exceeded the supply from their predominantly hydroelectric resources. 

To close this gap, they had to purchase supplemental power on the wholesale market at a time of very high prices, exceeding budgeted costs and drawing down the RSA. Per Seattle Municipal Code 21.49.086, if the RSA becomes depleted, a temporary rate surcharge is automatically added to customer bills to replenish it. RSA surcharges remain in place until the RSA is refilled to $100 million.

2024 customer rate impacts by class

The below table shows the combined impacts of the base rate increase, BPA passthrough, and RSA surcharge by customer class. Network rate increases are lower than for Non-Network due to cost of service adjustments that are a part of the base rate increase (the original average 4.5%). The BPA passthrough and RSA surcharge are applied the same way to all customer classes.


The bill increase for a typical residential customer will be about $9 per month ($18 per bimonthly billing cycle). Customers enrolled in the Utility Discount Program (UDP) will see an estimated $4 monthly increase on average.

City Light has flexible payment plans available to all customers. For income-eligible residential customers, we have bill assistance programs available, including emergency bill assistance and the Utility Discount Program. 

While City Light continues to offer electricity rates lower than many cities in the country, we understand increases are never good news. The $70 million deficit in the RSA is significant and we are aggressively seeking ways to replenish the RSA to its required $100 million threshold and remove the surcharge as soon as possible while continuing to deliver safe, reliable and environmentally responsible power.

See the October 12 SCL Powerlines blog post for more information or call customer service at 206-684-3000.


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Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend and PSE offers tips to keep energy costs down

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

PSE offers tips for the end of Daylight Saving Time - Sunday November 4, 2023 at 2am

It’s the time of the year again for big jackets, warm drinks and setting your clocks to fall back an hour.

The winter season is quickly approaching and Puget Sound Energy (PSE) is providing tips for customers to keep energy costs down during the colder, darker months.

Get smart with your thermostat.

You can save as much as 10% a year by simply turning your thermostat down 7-10°F for 8 hours a day. Install and properly set a smart thermostat to make this happen automatically. PSE also offers discounted smart thermostats on the PSE Marketplace.

Weatherize and replace old insulation.

Proper weatherization can save more than $200 a year in reduced heating and cooling costs. 

Insulation is like a blanket for your home – the heavier the blanket, the warmer your home will be in the winter. 

Even adding insulation to a newer home can pay for itself within a few years. 

You can put sweeps along the bottom of your doors or purchase and install inexpensive window sealing kit to block cold drafts. PSE also offers a variety of rebates on weatherization upgrades and window replacements.

Optimize your heating system

Heating can account for up to 60% of monthly energy costs. Schedule a check-up for your heating system to make sure it’s running as smoothly as possible. 

If you have a furnace, check and clean your filters regularly to optimize your equipment’s performance. 

Replacing an inefficient heating system can also help you save on energy bills and improve the comfort of your home. PSE's rebates can make the purchase of an energy-efficient heating system easier on your wallet. Learn more at pse.com/heating.

Update outdoor lighting with LEDs.

Now is the time to check outdoor lights as extreme temperatures can shorten the lifespan of lightbulbs. If you can, replace traditional incandescent lighting with LED fixtures, which use 6 times less energy.

Download PSE’s mobile app before bad weather hits.

Find information on power outages, monitor your energy use and pay bills – all from your fingertips! The myPSE app is available for free in your app store now.

Whether you're buying a home, remodeling or just looking to spend less, you can use PSE’s rebates and offers to save on energy efficiency upgrades. The more efficient your home becomes, the lower your bills can get. Learn more at pse.com/lower.


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Portion of 195th Trail to be closed for PSE gas main work

Friday, October 6, 2023

While the 195th Trail is closed, detour to N 194th St.

Starting on Monday, October 9, 2023 a portion of the 195th pedestrian trail between Meridian and 1st Ave NE in Shoreline, behind Ballinger Commons, will be closed until Saturday, October 14th. 

The trail will be closed due to Puget Sound Energy performing maintenance work on the gas main, and it will become unsafe for the public to use the trail. 

If you have any questions, please contact John Rockford, CP Tech III, at John.Rockford@pse.com or (206) 255-2704.


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Seattle Public Utilities and North City Water District activate the “voluntary” stage of water shortage contingency plan.

Thursday, September 21, 2023

After a rapid snowmelt this spring, little to no rainfall this summer, and above-average water consumption due to an ongoing lack of rain, our region’s water reservoirs are lower than usual. In response, Seattle Public Utilities and North City Water District have activated the “voluntary” stage of our water shortage contingency plan.
 
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) — the source / supplier of water for the majority of the utilities in this area, including North City Water — has been closely monitoring the situation all year long. 

Should this year’s El Niño pattern continue with a warm, dry fall and winter, SPU has identified a number of strategies to address water supply. Some of these have already been implemented, given the onset of salmon spawning season, others are waiting to be activated or adjusted as we join countless generations who have looked to the skies for rain.

What Does That Mean for North City Water District Customers?

The District is joining with water utilities throughout our region to ask customers to reduce their water use by 10 percent. Here are three ways you can do this around the home:

  1. Shorten your shower (every minute = 2 gallons), and turn off the faucet while shaving or brushing your teeth.
  2. Flush less often if possible, and check to make sure you don’t have a leaky toilet… if you hear your toilet occasionally hissing or refilling, this could be an indicator of a leak. Stop by the District office to pick up easy toilet leak test strips.
  3. Use a broom instead of a hose to do outside fall clean up.

Visit the Saving Water Partnership website for more water conservation advice, rebates, and handy DIY tips!

North City Water District will keep you updated as SPU continues to assess weather, inflow, and reservoir conditions in order to evaluate if further actions are necessary.


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ACs that bring the heat - information event at Shoreline City Hall Tuesday September 19, 2023

Friday, September 15, 2023


Join the cities of Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, and Kenmore September 19, 2023 at 7pm for the third and final event in the free Go Electric! series. 

Experts will talk about the benefits of switching to a heat pump and the discounts and credits that are available to you.

Each presentation in the series will help homeowners and renters find out about rebates available from the federal government. The Inflation Reduction Act provides tax rebates and tax credits for making climate friendly home improvements.

This second workshop will explain why heat pumps are the best way to HEAT and COOL your home and how they can save you money and make life more comfortable. We'll review upfront discounts and tax credits and offer a Q/A with community members who have installed heat pumps at their homes so you can learn from their experiences.

Visit ShorelineWA.gov/GoElectric for more information on electrifying your home so you can be on your way to comfy, healthy, carbon-free living!

The event will be held at Shoreline City Hall 17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133.

updated 9-17-2023

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Come learn about the advantages of gardening with native plants in this free class

Monday, September 4, 2023

Thursday September 14, 2023, 6:30 – 8:00pm at North City Water District 1519 NE 177th St in Shoreline

Come discover just how beautiful, sustainable, and low-maintenance gardening can be with native plants. 

Native plants are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions where they naturally occur... which means they can often solve many landscape woes. 

Gardening with native plants typically means less watering, less need for pesticides and fertilizers, and less chance of introduction and spread of invasive species. 

Plus these important plant species provide nectar, pollen, and seeds for native butterflies, insects, birds, and other animals native to your area.

This class will provide you with an appreciation for giving your yard a Northwest aesthetic— complete with design techniques, plant combinations, and many plant choices for different conditions— all in perfect time for fall plant sales!

Class is free, but you must register to attend.
About The Presenter:

Greg Rabourn's passion for native plants collided with his dislike of mowing many years ago. He has been practicing and promoting native plant and low maintenance landscaping techniques ever since. 

Greg has worked with King County in native habitat restoration, was the past co-host of KCTV’s Yard Talk, and a weekly guest for the Greendays Gardening Panel, on KUOW, 94.9 FM. 

Read more about him in this article

Learn More About Native Plant Gardening:
From the Washington Native Plant Society, Puget Sound Chapter:

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Call before you dig

Sunday, September 3, 2023

Gas leak on 1st NE
Photo by Wes Brandon

Shoreline fire responded to a gas leak on 1st NE near the Shoreline Center after a backhoe fractured a residential gas line. PSE arrived on scene promptly and secured the fractured line.

This area is in the high density zoning for the 185th station area, so it may have been a developer in charge of the project,

However, if individual property owners with rented backhoes are doing the digging, dialing 811 "Call before you dig" will get you to the Washington Utility Notification Center to help you locate your buried utility lines.

The 811 number is staffed 24/7.


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Washington Association of Sewer and Water Districts (WASWD) honors Rep. Cindy Ryu

Sunday, July 30, 2023

State Rep. Cindy Ryu, left, receiving an award from Judi Gladstone, executive director of the Washington Association of Water and Sewer Districts. Photo courtesy WASWD.

An award ceremony was held on June 29, 2023 at North City Water District in Shoreline to present Rep. Cindy Ryu, D-Shoreline with an Outstanding Legislator Award from the Washington Association of Sewer and Water Districts (WASWD).

At a separate ceremony, they also honored Senator Mark Mullet (D-Issaquah).
 
Both Senator Mullet and Representative Ryu were responsible for significant efforts to ensure the success of special purpose water and sewer districts in the state of Washington, which in turn provides positive outcomes for utility customers.

From her initial involvement as a Shoreline City Council Member and Mayor, to her election to the Washington House of Representatives in 2010, Representative Ryu has focused on community development and consumer protection—core tenets shared by special purpose utility districts.

Her efforts this past session included sponsoring and shepherding legislation to provide equal treatment for all local governments undertaking public works procurement processes. 

Despite not serving on the House Local Government Committee, she negotiated with her colleagues on that committee to secure strong bipartisan support for the bill. 

Thanks to Representative Ryu’s support, the bill was signed by the Governor on May 4, 2023, allowing special purpose districts the same conditions for performing work in-house, which will ultimately save on ratepayer bills.


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What is the fuss about health and gas stoves?

Wednesday, July 12, 2023


What is the fuss about health and gas stoves?

Find out on July 18, 2023 at 7pm at Third Place Commons 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park.

Recently there has been a lot of discussion on TV, online and in the newspaper about gas stoves. 
  • Are they a risk to your health? 
  • Do gas stoves increase the potential for childhood asthma? 
  • Are jurisdictions going to take away gas stoves?

Dr. Mark Vossler with Physicians for Social Responsibility will clear the air. He will share information about the health risks from gas stoves for adults and especially children. The presentation will look at the advantages of electrifying not just your stove but also other parts of your home.

Gary Hawkey, a Lake Forest Park resident, will provide a demonstration of cooking on an inductions stove.

This is the first of a summer series on climate-friendly homes sponsored by the cities of Lake Forest Park, Shoreline and Kenmore.

Save the dates!
  • August 17, at 6pm at the Hanger at Town Center (6728 NE 181st Street, Kenmore) there will be a presentation on solar installation.
  • September 19, 7pm at Shoreline City Hall (17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline) there will be a presentation on heat pumps.


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Lake Forest Park candidates tour LFP well field

Saturday, June 17, 2023

The well field's large water tank
Photo by Maris Abelson

By Maris Abelson

Candidates for Lake Forest Park City Council and Mayor toured the LFP Water District well field on Wednesday. The site is the source of drinking water for about 2,400 residents in Lake Forest Park and available for firefighting purposes.

Alan Kerley, the water district’s general manager, led the group around the recently completed pump house equipped with a reinforced roof which can withstand falling trees.

He described the function and provenance of the wells and tanks, emphasizing the district’s focus on preserving landmark trees, removing invasive plants, and restoring native ones. He then took everyone on a stroll along the upper pedestrian trail that skirts the well field.

Water district manager Alan Kerley discusses the history of the well field.
Photo by Dan Benson

Water District Commission members Dave Hammond, Eli Zehner, and Bill Donahue provided additional information about the history of the water system.

“We have a heck of a good water district, and they have really educated people that care about the environment,” said Paula Goode, candidate for Council Position 6.

Lorri Bodi, who is running unopposed for Position 2 said, "The District team does an impressive job conserving our water resources, our trees, our wetlands, and our wildlife. And the water they supply to our community is untreated, pure, and award-winning.”

For Ellyn Saunders, a long-time LFP resident and candidate for Position 4, it was a first opportunity to view the well field. “I knew that they were up here, but I had no idea how magnificent this is, how fortunate we are to have such pure water, and the work that goes into it,” she said.

Hiking the Upper Train
Photo by Sally Yamasaki

LFP Mayoral candidate Tom French (who had recently toured the well field with fellow councilmember Tracy Furutani), looks forward to a continued close-working relationship with the water board and district management.

Learn about the LFP Water District at its website


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Seattle City Light: keep balloons away from power lines

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Photo courtesy Seattle City Light
Seattle City Light reports that on Saturday, May 20, 2023, they had a balloon-related power outage. 

They ask that you please remember to:
  1. Keep balloons indoors
  2. Secure them with weights
  3. Don't release balloons outdoors
  4. When the party is over, puncture to prevent flyaways
  5. NEVER retrieve balloons tangled in power lines
The latex variety are very dangerous to birds, as well.



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2022 LFPWD Water Protector Award goes to Kim Josund

Saturday, May 6, 2023

District commissioners and general manager with Kim Josund,
this year’s recipient of the Water Protector Award.

Customers of LFP Water District (LFPWD) enjoy untreated well water because we 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.

The 2022 award was recently presented to Kim Josund “In recognition of your dedication to protecting and enhancing the natural environment and for your leadership in building partnerships within our community.”
As president of the LFP Stewardship Foundation she has taken an active role in the community to ensure the preservation of the resources that we value. 

In this capacity, she was instrumental in bringing the Save Our Salmon project to McAleer Creek which helps raise awareness of the importance of preserving our water resources. 


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AG Ferguson, Rep. Mena bill protecting Washingtonians from utility shut-offs during extreme heat signed into law

Sunday, April 23, 2023

AG Ferguson, Rep. Joe Nguyen, Rep Sharlett Mena stand with Gov. Inslee as he signs their bill
Photo courtesy AG Office

OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law a bill Attorney General Bob Ferguson partnered on with Rep. Sharlett Mena, D-Tacoma, to ensure a utility operator cannot shut off Washingtonians’ power or water when the National Weather Service issues a heat-related warning or alert.

The bill, House Bill 1329, does not relieve Washingtonians of their obligation to pay their utility bills. It protects human health and safety by preventing electricity shutoffs for failure to pay during extreme heat. It does not prohibit utilities from shutting off power to prevent or mitigate damage from forest fires.

It passed the Senate on April 10, 2023 with a 29-20 vote. The House passed the bill with a bipartisan 64-31 vote in late February.

Sen. Joe Nguyen, D-White Center, sponsored a companion bill in the senate.

“This will provide a tangible, important, life-saving benefit to Washingtonians,” Ferguson said.

“Extreme heat is risky for seniors, people with disabilities, folks who work outside, and anyone who can’t afford their utility bill;” Rep. Mena said. “Power and water can be a matter of life and death during a heat wave. This legislation will ensure that every Washingtonian has the ability to protect themselves against extreme heat.”

The bill places a moratorium on utility shutoffs for inability to pay during a Weather Service heat-related warning or alert. The legislation protects all Washingtonians’ access to electric fans, working refrigerators and running water during extreme heat, as well as air conditioning for residents with access.

More information here



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City Light crews starting to trim branches around power lines

Friday, April 7, 2023

Photo by John Boril
Story and photos by John Boril

A crew from Seattle City Light contractor Kemp West was out along NE Serpentine Place on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 trimming limbs above and around our power lines. 

This past winter, falling limbs caused a 48-hour power outage in this neighborhood, during some of the coldest days of the year. 

Photo by John Boril
According to City Light’s website, the utility trims trees on a four and a half year pruning cycle. 

In addition to outages, City Light says trees touching power lines can also start fires, burn or electrocute people touching the tree, and cause voltage loss in the system.



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2022 Lake Forest Park Water District Water Protector awarded to Kim Josund

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

l-r General Manager Alan Kerley, David Hammond, honoree Kim Josund, Bill Donahue and Eli Zehner.

Customers of Lake Forest Park Water District enjoy untreated well water because we 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.

The 2022 award was recently presented to Kim Josund “In recognition of your dedication to protecting and enhancing the natural environment and for your leadership in building partnerships within our community.”

Kim has a background in science and ecology and from a young age has had an appreciation for unspoiled nature. As president of the LFP Stewardship Foundation she has taken an active role in the community to ensure the preservation of the resources that we value. 

In this capacity, she was instrumental in bringing the Save Our Salmon project to McAleer creek which helps raise awareness of the importance of preserving our water resources.

Congratulations Kim! 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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Inattentive driver takes out power to a thousand residents near Firdale in Snohomish county

Sunday, January 22, 2023

A 68 year old Edmonds driver collided with a telephone pole on Edmonds Way (SR 104) on Saturday, January 21, 2023, bringing down power lines and taking out power to over a thousand nearby residents.

Edmonds police cited the driver for inattentive driving. No injuries were reported and no signs of impairment were detected.

Power was out and the road was closed for two hours while Snohomish County PUD repaired the damage.


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