CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to the City Light Department; amending Section 21.49.040 of the Seattle Municipal Code to remove an exception from eligibility to the Utility Discount Program for tenants of federally subsidized housing with utility allowances and to update and modify certain program provisions.
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WHEREAS, since the early 1980’s Seattle City Light has offered qualified low-income residential electric utility customers discounted electric rates through the Utility Discount Program; and
WHEREAS, both the 2012 City Light Strategic Plan and the 2014 Mayor’s report, “Strengthening the Utility Discount Program,” have goals for improving utilization of and increasing enrollment in the Utility Discount Program by qualified customers; and
WHEREAS, Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utilities have coordinated efforts to review current federally subsidized housing utility allowance policies and programs to confirm that participation in the Utility Discount Program would assist those qualified low-income customers with paying costs of utility services provided by the City and that removing the long-standing exception to participation by tenants in these programs would meet the goals of City Light, SPU, and the Mayor; and
WHEREAS, Seattle City Light also recommends updating and modifying certain provisions authorizing the Utility Discount Program to be consistent with current practices; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 21.49.040 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 124978, is amended as follows:
21.49.040 - Residential rate assistance (Schedules REC, RET, RES, REH, REB, REE, REL, RLC, RLT, RLS, RLH, RLB, RLE, and RLL)
A. Utility discount program established
1. The City has established a utility discount program to assist qualified low-income residential utility customers with the costs of utility services provided by the City, including electric utility services.
2. Schedules REC, RET, RES, REH, REB, REE, REL, RLC, RLT, RLS, RLH, RLB, RLE, and RLL are available to qualified low-income residential customers in accordance with this chapter.
((Schedules REC (Residential Elderly: City) and RLC (Residential Low-Income: City)))
3. Schedules REC, ((and)) RET, RES, REH, REB, REE, RLC, RLT, RLS, RLH, RLB, and RLE are available for separately metered residential service provided to ((City ))customers who show satisfactory proof that they have a City Light residential account and reside in the dwelling unit where the account is billed and that they:
((1.)) a. For ((Schedule)) Schedules RLC, RLT, RLS, RLH, RLB, RLE, and RLL, receive Supplemental Security Income pursuant to 42 USC Sections 1381 - 1383; or
((2.)) b. For all Schedules ((RLC and)) REC, RET, RES, REH, REB, REE, REL, RLC, RLT, RLS, RLH, RLB, RLE, and RLL, reside in a household in which the ((annual)) income of all household members together does not exceed 70 percent of the Washington State median income for the number of individuals in the household as computed annually by the state or the City.
((RATES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2014:
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (April - September)
First 10 kWh per day at 2.16 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 4.17 cents per kWh
Winter Billing Cycles (October - March)
First 16 kWh per day at 2.16 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 4.17 cents per kWh
Base Service Charge:
6.43 cents per meter per day
RATES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2015:
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (April - September)
First 10 kWh per day at 2.23 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 4.76 cents per kWh
Winter Billing Cycles (October - March)
First 16 kWh per day at 2.23 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 4.76 cents per kWh
Base Service Charge:
5.80 cents per meter per day))
4. The Department is authorized and directed to administer the program, including promulgating administrative rules from time to time in the manner provided in the Administrative Code (Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 3.02) and entering into cooperative agreements to carry out the intent and purpose of this chapter, in consultation with the Seattle Public Utilities and Human Services Departments, where appropriate. Customer compliance with the program rules is a condition for initial or ongoing eligibility for the utility discount program.
B. Schedules REC, RET, RES, REH, REB, REE, REL, RLC, RLT, RLS, RLH, RLB, RLE, and RLL
1. Schedules REC (Residential Elderly: City) and RLC (Residential Low-Income: City)
RATES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2016:
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (April - September)
First 10 kWh per day at 2.35 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 5.00 cents per kWh
Winter Billing Cycles (October - March)
First 16 kWh per day at 2.35 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 5.00 cents per kWh
Base Service Charge:
5.93 cents per meter per day
2. Schedules RET (Residential Elderly: Tukwila) and RLT (Residential Low-Income: Tukwila)
((Schedules RET and RLT are available for separately metered residential service provided to Tukwila customers who show satisfactory proof that they have a City Light residential account and reside in the dwelling unit where the account is billed and that they:
1. For Schedule RLT, receive Supplemental Security Income pursuant to 42 USC Sections 1381 - 1383; or
2. For Schedules RLT and RET, reside in a household in which the annual income of all household members together does not exceed 70 percent of the Washington State median income for the number of individuals in the household as computed annually by the state or the City.
RATES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2014:
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (April - September)
First 10 kWh per day at 2.32 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 4.49 cents per kWh
Winter Billing Cycles (October - March)
First 16 kWh per day at 2.32 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 4.49 cents per kWh
Base Service Charge:
6.43 cents per meter per day
RATES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2015:
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (April - September)
First 10 kWh per day at 2.19 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 5.07 cents per kWh
Winter Billing Cycles (October - March)
First 16 kWh per day at 2.19 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 5.07 cents per kWh
Base Service Charge:
5.80 cents per meter per day))
RATES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2016:
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (April - September)
First 10 kWh per day at 2.31 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 5.32 cents per kWh
Winter Billing Cycles (October - March)
First 16 kWh per day at 2.31 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 5.32 cents per kWh
Base Service Charge:
5.93 cents per meter per day
3. Schedules RES (Residential Elderly: Suburban) and RLS (Residential Low-Income: Suburban)
((Schedules RES and RLS are available for separately metered residential service provided to suburban customers who show satisfactory proof that they have a City Light residential account and reside in the dwelling unit where the account is billed and that they:
1. For Schedule RLS, receive Supplemental Security Income pursuant to 42 USC Sections 1381 - 1383; or
2. For Schedules RLS and RES, reside in a household in which the annual income of all household members together does not exceed 70 percent of the Washington State median income for the number of individuals in the household as computed annually by the state or the City:
RATES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2014:
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (April - September)
First 10 kWh per day at 2.23 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 4.31 cents per kWh
Winter Billing Cycles (October - March)
First 16 kWh per day at 2.23 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 4.31 cents per kWh
Base Service Charge:
6.43 cents per meter per day
RATES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2015:
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (April - September)
First 10 kWh per day at 2.34 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 4.90 cents per kWh
Winter Billing Cycles (October - March)
First 16 kWh per day at 2.34 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 4.90 cents per kWh
Base Service Charge:
5.80 cents per meter per day))
RATES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2016:
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (April - September)
First 10 kWh per day at 2.46 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 5.14 cents per kWh
Winter Billing Cycles (October - March)
First 16 kWh per day at 2.46 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 5.14 cents per kWh
Base Service Charge:
5.93 cents per meter per day
4. Schedules REH (Residential Elderly: Shoreline) and RLH (Residential Low-Income: Shoreline)
((Schedules REH and RLH are available for separately metered residential service provided to Shoreline customers who show satisfactory proof that they have a City Light residential account and reside in the dwelling unit where the account is billed and that they:
1. For Schedule RLH, receive Supplemental Security Income pursuant to 42 USC Sections 1381 - 1383; or
2. For Schedules RLH and REH, reside in a household in which the annual income of all household members together does not exceed 70 percent of the Washington State median income for the number of individuals in the household as computed annually by the state or the City.
RATES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2014:
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (April - September)
First 10 kWh per day at 2.32 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 4.49 cents per kWh
Winter Billing Cycles (October - March)
First 16 kWh per day at 2.32 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 4.49 cents per kWh
Base Service Charge:
6.43 cents per meter per day
North City Undergrounding Charge:
All kWh at 0.03 cents per kWh
Aurora 1 Undergrounding Charge:
All kWh at 0.07 cents per kWh
Aurora 2 Undergrounding Charge:
All kWh at 0.07 cents per kWh
RATES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2015:
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (April - September)
First 10 kWh per day at 2.49 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 5.00 cents per kWh
Winter Billing Cycles (October - March)
First 16 kWh per day at 2.49 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 5.00 cents per kWh
Base Service Charge:
5.80 cents per meter per day
North City Undergrounding Charge:
All kWh at 0.03 cents per kWh
Aurora 1 Undergrounding Charge:
All kWh at 0.07 cents per kWh
Aurora 2 Undergrounding Charge:
All kWh at 0.07 cents per kWh
RATES EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1, 2015:
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (April - September)
First 10 kWh per day at 2.49 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 5.00 cents per kWh
Winter Billing Cycles (October - March)
First 16 kWh per day at 2.49 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 5.00 cents per kWh
Base Service Charge:
5.80 cents per meter per day
North City Undergrounding Charge:
All kWh at 0.03 cents per kWh
Aurora 1 Undergrounding Charge:
All kWh at 0.07 cents per kWh
Aurora 2 Undergrounding Charge:
All kWh at 0.07 cents per kWh
Aurora 3A Undergrounding Charge:
All kWh at 0.02 cents per kWh))
RATES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2016:
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (April - September)
First 10 kWh per day at 2.62 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 5.25 cents per kWh
Winter Billing Cycles (October - March)
First 16 kWh per day at 2.62 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 5.25 cents per kWh
Base Service Charge:
5.93 cents per meter per day
North City Undergrounding Charge:
All kWh at 0.03 cents per kWh
Aurora 1 Undergrounding Charge:
All kWh at 0.07 cents per kWh
Aurora 2 Undergrounding Charge:
All kWh at 0.07 cents per kWh
Aurora 3A Undergrounding Charge:
All kWh at 0.02 cents per kWh
5. Schedules REB (Residential Elderly: Burien) and RLB (Residential Low-Income: Burien)
((Schedules REB and RLB are available for separately metered residential service provided to Burien customers who show satisfactory proof that they have a City Light residential account and reside in the dwelling unit where the account is billed and that they:
1. For Schedule RLB, receive Supplemental Security Income pursuant to 42 USC Sections 1381 - 1383; or
2. For Schedule RLB and REB, reside in a household in which the annual income of all household members together does not exceed 70 percent of the Washington State median income for the number of individuals in the household as computed annually by the state or the City.
RATES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2014:
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (April - September)
First 10 kWh per day at 2.23 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 4.31 cents per kWh
Winter Billing Cycles (October - March)
First 16 kWh per day at 2.23 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 4.31 cents per kWh
Base Service Charge:
6.43 cents per meter per day
First Avenue South 1 Undergrounding Charge:
All kWh at 0.15 cents per kWh
First Avenue South 2 Undergrounding Charge:
All kWh at 0.05 cents per kWh
RATES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2015:
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (April - September)
First 10 kWh per day at 2.34 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 4.90 cents per kWh
Winter Billing Cycles (October - March)
First 16 kWh per day at 2.34 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 4.90 cents per kWh
Base Service Charge:
5.80 cents per meter per day
First Avenue South 1 Undergrounding Charge:
All kWh at 0.15 cents per kWh
First Avenue South 2 Undergrounding Charge:
All kWh at 0.05 cents per kWh))
RATES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2016:
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (April - September)
First 10 kWh per day at 2.46 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 5.14 cents per kWh
Winter Billing Cycles (October - March)
First 16 kWh per day at 2.46 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 5.14 cents per kWh
Base Service Charge:
5.93 cents per meter per day
First Avenue South 1 Undergrounding Charge:
All kWh at 0.15 cents per kWh
First Avenue South 2 Undergrounding Charge:
All kWh at 0.05 cents per kWh
6. Schedules REE (Residential Elderly: SeaTac) and RLE (Residential Low-Income: SeaTac)
((Schedules REE and RLE are available for separately metered residential service provided to SeaTac customers who show satisfactory proof that they have a City Light residential account and reside in the dwelling unit where the account is billed and that they:
1. For Schedule RLE, receive Supplemental Security Income pursuant to 42 USC Sections 1381 - 1383; or
2. For Schedules RLE and REE, reside in a household in which the annual income of all household members together does not exceed 70 percent of the Washington State median income for the number of individuals in the household as computed annually by the state or the City.
RATES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2015:
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (April - September)
First 10 kWh per day at 2.34 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 4.90 cents per kWh
Winter Billing Cycles (October - March)
First 16 kWh per day at 2.34 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 4.90 cents per kWh
Base Service Charge:
5.80 cents per meter per day))
RATES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2016:
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (April - September)
First 10 kWh per day at 2.62 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 5.25 cents per kWh
Winter Billing Cycles (October - March)
First 16 kWh per day at 2.62 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 5.25 cents per kWh
Base Service Charge:
5.93 cents per meter per day
7. Schedules REL (Residential Elderly: Lake Forest Park) and RLL (Residential Low-Income: Lake Forest Park)
((Schedules REL and RLL are available for separately metered residential service provided to Lake Forest Park customers who show satisfactory proof that they have a City Light residential account and reside in the dwelling unit where the account is billed and that they:
1. For Schedule RLL, receive Supplemental Security Income pursuant to 42 USC Sections 1381 - 1383; or
2. For Schedules RLL and REL, reside in a household in which the annual income of all household members together does not exceed 70 percent of the Washington State median income for the number of individuals in the household as computed annually by the state or the City.
RATES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2015:
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (April - September)
First 10 kWh per day at 2.34 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 4.90 cents per kWh
Winter Billing Cycles (October - March)
First 16 kWh per day at 2.34 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 4.90 cents per kWh
Base Service Charge:
5.80 cents per meter per day))
RATES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2016:
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (April - September)
First 10 kWh per day at 2.46 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 5.14 cents per kWh
Winter Billing Cycles (October - March)
First 16 kWh per day at 2.46 cents per kWh
All additional kWh per day at 5.14 cents per kWh
Base Service Charge:
5.93 cents per meter per day
((B.)) C. Applicants for all Schedules REC, RLC, RET, RLT, RES, RLS, REH, RLH, REB, RLB, REE, RLE, REL, and RLL shall ((verify)) provide the information upon forms and in the manner required by the program rules to certify their eligibility for residential rate assistance ((and shall provide such other data as is deemed appropriate upon forms and in the manner determined by the City’s Human Services Department as directed by City Light)) . Customer eligibility ((to enter)) for the program may also be established from ((data)) eligibility information provided by ((affordable housing)) low-income service providers receiving federal, state, or local funding and subject to annual compliance monitoring by the granting authority, if the providers have entered into agreements with the City ((Light)) regarding the provision and use of the eligibility information. Such agreements do not limit the City’s right to ((confirm the)) request additional information ((provided with)) from the customer or to verify the customer’s eligibility information.
((C.)) D. Schedules REC, RLC, RET, RLT, RES, RLS, REH, RLH, REB, RLB, REE, RLE, REL, and RLL and any other form of residential rate assistance established by the Department are not available to those otherwise eligible persons who own their dwelling unit and who use electric heat as defined in Section 21.52.210 but who have not completed or who are not in the process of completing the energy conservation measures required for participation in the Comprehensive Residential Weatherization Program described in Section 21.52.260. Customers who own their own dwelling unit and who use electric heat have one year from the date of application for Schedules REC, RLC, RET, RLT, RES, RLS, REH, RLH, REB, RLB, REE, RLE, REL, and RLL to complete the energy conservation measures. Eligibility for residential rate assistance may be continued by the Department, however, if the Department determines that the customer’s failure to complete the required energy conservation measures is the fault of the City in failing to furnish or properly administer the Low-income Electric Program set forth in Section 21.52.250.
((D. Schedules REC, RLC, RET, RLT, RES, RLS, REH, RLH, REB, RLB, REE, RLE, REL, and RLL shall not apply to any subsidized unit operated by the Seattle Housing Authority, the Housing Authority of the County of King, or the federal government where utility allowances are provided.))
E. Normal residential service under Schedules REC, RLC, RET, RLT, RES, RLS, REH, RLH, REB, RLB, REE, RLE, REL, and RLL shall be limited to single-phase.
((F. If Schedules REC, RLC, RET, RLT, RES, RLS, REH, RLH, REB, RLB, REE, RLE, REL, and RLL are applied to transient occupancy in separately metered living units, billing shall be in the name of the owner on a continuous basis.
G.)) F. Duplexes using a single meter prior to October 13, 1978, shall be considered as a single residence for the purpose of applying Schedules REC, RLC, RET, RLT, RES, RLS, REH, RLH, REB, RLB, REE, RLE, RLL, and REL. For a new duplex or a larger service to an existing duplex, each residence shall be separately metered.
((H.)) G. All electric service provided for domestic uses to a single residential account, including electrically heated swimming pools, shall have all consumption of electricity added together for billing on Schedules REC, RLC, RET, RLT, RES, RLS, REH, RLH, REB, RLB, REE, RLE, REL, and RLL.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect August 1, 2016.
Passed by the City Council the ____ day of ________________________, 2016,
and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this _____ day of ___________________, 2016.
____________________________________
President __________ of the City Council
Approved by me this ____ day of _____________________, 2016.
____________________________________
Edward B. Murray, Mayor
Filed by me this ____ day of __________________________, 2016.
____________________________________
Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)