SEATTLE—With the threat of power shortages, higher prices and brownouts looming in many parts of the country, Seattle is taking an innovative approach to providing for its citizens’ energy future: renewable energy sources.
Seattle City Light, Seattle’s city-owned electric utility, today announced that it is seeking proposals to provide up to 100 average megawatts of electricity from wind, solar, geothermal and other “green” power sources, enough to light 82,500 homes.
This step supports Mayor Schell’s and the Seattle City Council’s far-reaching Earth Day Resolution, passed earlier this year. It commits Seattle City Light to meet increases in electrical demand with a combination of conservation and renewable resources. If fossil fuels must be used, the utility must offset any greenhouse gas emissions.
Seattle’s power is already among the greenest in the nation. The city’s four large hydroelectric plants provide more than 60 percent of Seattle’s needs, don’t emit air pollutants and are run for “fish first.” The Skagit River, where three of these plants are located, supports the healthiest runs of pink and chum salmon in the Puget Sound region.
“We intend to be nothing less than the greenest utility in the nation,” Superintendent Gary Zarker said. “Our citizen-owners and elected officials have spoken on this, and we intend to deliver.”
Proposals are due August 25, 2000.
The RFP is online at http://www.cityofseattle.net/light/News/RFI_RFP/RFP_RenRes.htm
