Electric Power

Public responsibility for electrical energy dates back to 1890 with creation of the Department of Lighting and Water Works. A City Charter amendment in 1910 created the Lighting Department, making it a full member of the City's Board of Public Works. The current name of the agency was adopted in 1978 when the department was reorganized. As a municipally owned public power system, Seattle City Light is governed by elected Seattle officials. City Light is responsible for electrical service and streetlight service, streetlight problems, and also conservation, both residential and commercial/industrial. It is the largest public utility in the Pacific Northwest.

Power Generation

Seattle's foray into electricity generation began with an opportunity - an existing dam at the Cedar River that could be used to generate power - and a need - cheap electricity to power streetlights in a rapidly growing city. Under the leadership of Superintendent James D. Ross, the department developed the Skagit River hydroelectric project which began supplying power in 1924 with the completion of the Gorge Dam, and later the Diablo and Ross Dams. Both public and private power was supplied to Seattle until 1951 when the City purchased the local private electrical power company, the Puget Sound Power and Light Company, making the Lighting Department the sole supplier. In the 1960s, City Light built the Boundary Dam in Northeast Washington that now generates over a third of the utility's power output. The utility also operates smaller generation facilities on the Cedar and Tolt Rivers and contracts for additional power from environmentally-friendly sources and the Bonneville Power Administration.

Cedar River power line and powerhouse, 1922
In 1902, Seattle voters approved a
$590,000 bond issue to finance
construction of a hydroelectric plant
on the Cedar River. This facility
began operation in 1905, powering the
City's streetlight network. It was the
nation's first municipally
owned hydroelectric project.
Seattle Municipal Archives Image 1952

Lake Union auxiliary steam plant, 1930
The steam plant, completed in 1917,
augmented City Light's electricity supply.
Seattle Municipal Archives Image 78085

Gorge railroad bridge,
Gorge powerhouse at Newhalem, 1938
City Light completed Gorge Dam, its first
hydroelectric dam on the Skagit River,
in 1924. The Gorge High Dam replaced the
original dam in 1961.
Seattle Municipal Archives Image 13632

Gorge workers in lunchroom, 1935
Seattle Municipal Archives Image 17684

Diablo Dam and Diablo Lake,
Ruby Mountain in background, 1935
Diablo Dam was completed in 1930 and
began generating electricity in 1936.
Seattle Municipal Archives Image 13100

Diablo Dam workers on incline, 1928
Seattle Municipal Archives Image 45021

The Alice Ross on Diablo Lake, 1936
For decades, City Light has invited
tourists to the Skagit to learn about
the dams and enjoy the scenery
of the North Cascades.
Seattle Municipal Archives Image 14678

Ross Dam and Powerhouse, 2002
Ross Dam opened in 1949.
Seattle Municipal Archives Image 138172

Boundary Dam construction, 1966
The Boundary Project in northeastern
Washington began operations in 1967
and supplies over half of
City Light's power generation.
Seattle Municipal Archives Image 109539

Power Delivery

Seattle City Light owns and maintains a network of in-city facilities, substations, and power lines that supplies low-priced electricity to Seattle residences and businesses.

North Substation, 1926
Seattle Municipal Archives Image 2196

Yesler Substation battery room switchboard, 1930
Seattle Municipal Archives Image 3889

Power Control Center, interior, 1968
Seattle Municipal Archives Image 78809

26,000 volt cutover
Western Ave. and Wall St., 1927
Seattle Municipal Archives Image 2572

Light poles and power lines, 1934
Seattle Municipal Archives Image 8760

Meter reader, 1939
Seattle Municipal Archives Image 18587

City Light warehouse, Fourth Ave. South, 1928
Seattle Municipal Archives Image 2987

Construction trucks at 600 Broadway, 1949
Seattle Municipal Archives Image 43221

Line workers at substation, 2004
Seattle Municipal Archives Image 151446

Service and Outreach

From its beginning, City Light dedicated itself to increasing demand for electricity. City Light offered customers the latest selection of electrical appliances, for either sale or lease, from their network of stores. The utility also promoted the use of electricity through advertising and educational campaigns, and employed hundreds to maintain its networks and provide service to retail customers. City Light continues to educate its customers, now emphasizing conservation and the wise use of electricity