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 residen...
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