CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION __________________
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A RESOLUTION relating to the City Light Department; adopting an updated Transportation Electrification Strategic Investment Plan for the City Light Department that will guide the development of the utility’s infrastructure strategy and investment priorities related to the electrification of transportation.
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WHEREAS, in its 2019 session the Washington State Legislature passed, and the Governor signed, SHB 1512 (“the legislation”) relating to the electrification of transportation; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature found that reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality can best be achieved by expediting the transition to alternative fuel vehicles, including electric vehicles; and
WHEREAS, the legislation created what was codified as RCW 35.92.450, which provides that the “governing authority of an electric utility formed under this chapter may adopt an electrification of transportation plan”; and
WHEREAS, RCW 35.92.450 also allows for an electric utility to offer “incentive programs in the electrification of transportation for its customers, including the promotion of electric vehicle adoption and advertising programs to promote the utility’s services, incentives, or rebates,” provided that “utility outreach and investment in the electrification of transportation infrastructure does not increase net costs to ratepayers in excess of one-quarter of one percent”; and
WHEREAS, the City Light Department (“City Light”) created a Transportation Electrification Strategic Investment Plan (“TESIP”), which was adopted by City Council on October 5, 2020, through the passage of Resolution 31971; and
WHEREAS, Resolution 31971 stated that City Light “will continue to review and update the Transportation Electrification Strategic Investment Plan at least every four years”; and
WHEREAS, City Light has now updated the TESIP for the years 2025 through 2030 (“the 2025 TESIP”), which will continue to guide the development and implementation of the utility’s electrification of transportation infrastructure strategy and investment priorities; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 127145, passed by City Council on November 21, 2014, amended the reporting requirements for several City departments, including removing the “review and update” requirement on City Light for the TESIP from Resolution 31971, while maintaining the annual reporting requirement; and
WHEREAS, City Light completed the review and update of the TESIP consistent with the requirement in Resolution 31971 before Ordinance 127145 was passed; and
WHEREAS, City Light will report to City Council annually regarding the implementation of the TESIP; and
WHEREAS, in developing the 2025 TESIP, City Light has once again undertaken broad customer and stakeholder engagement across communities and sectors consistent with community and state standards, including the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative and Washington’s Healthy Environment for All Act, and in collaboration with the Department of Neighborhoods and the Office of Sustainability and Environment to get input for the Transportation Electrification Strategic Investment Plan; and
WHEREAS, the 2025 TESIP draws on the findings of a strategy report City Light developed in collaboration with the International Council on Clean Transportation, which informs and projects the charging infrastructure needs in the light, medium, and heavy-duty vehicle sectors included as Attachment B to this resolution; and
WHEREAS, the 2025 TESIP calls for proactive planning, early investments, and programs, and will prioritize systemic, long-term solutions to achieve specific racial equity outcomes to improve the lives of individuals living in environmental justice communities identified in The City of Seattle Office of Sustainability and Environment’s Equity and Environment Agenda; and
WHEREAS, the overall benefits of the 2025 TESIP will be generally distributed across the entire City Light service territory and categories of customers through their rate impacts and universal program offerings; and
WHEREAS, the 2025 TESIP is aligned with and will contribute to the success of the overarching Citywide Transportation Electrification Blueprint; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the 2025 TESIP; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:
Section 1. The City Council adopts the City Light Department’s (“City Light”) proposed 2025 Transportation Electrification Strategic Investment Plan (“2025 TESIP”), a copy of which is attached to this resolution as Attachment A and incorporated by reference.
Section 2. The City Council requests that the General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of City Light continue to consult with other City departments, stakeholders, community partners, and a wide range of customers on specific initiatives, programs, services, and incentives in furtherance of the 2025 TESIP. In formulating and developing its implementation strategy, City Light will ensure that it upholds the values of equity, the environment, and the grid.
Adopted by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2025, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this ________ day of _________________________, 2025.
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President ____________ of the City Council
The Mayor concurred the ________ day of _________________________, 2025.
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Bruce A. Harrell, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2025.
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Scheereen Dedman, City Clerk
(Seal)
Attachments:
Attachment A - Transportation Electrification Strategic Investment Plan (TESIP) 2025-2030
Attachment B - Memorandum from International Council on Clean Transportation