the film forum library tutorial contact

City Light to Drop Electric Rates 2% Next Month by Staff Seattle Post-Intelligencer, March 4, 2004

Starting in April, Seattle City Light bills could be a dollar less.

Electric rates will drop 2 percent beginning April 1, reflecting the semiannual adjustment in rates from the Bonneville Power Administration.

A 2001 city ordinance requires City Light to pass Bonneville rate adjustments on to customers.

City Light rates climbed 58 percent during the energy crisis of 2000-2001. About 10 percent of that increase came from Bonneville Power.

It's not likely that City Light customers will see bigger reductions in their bills soon.

Councilwoman Jean Godden, who heads the energy committee, said stabilizing rates is the focus for now. Later this year, the council will start looking at rates

"We will look at how they are structured," she said.

According to the city, a 2 percent rate reduction would lower the average electrical bill for a Seattle resident from $47.44 to $46.52, down about 92 cents.

About one-third of all the energy City Light generates or purchases comes from Bonneville.