CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION __________________
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A RESOLUTION relating to the City Light Department; adopting a 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 electrification of transportation by amending or creating new sections to the RCW; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature found that “programs for the electrification of transportation have the potential to allow electric utilities to optimize the use of electric grid infrastructure, improve the management of electric loads, and better manage the integration of variable renewable energy resources” (§1(1) of the legislation); and
WHEREAS, the Legislature found that “state policy can achieve the greatest return on investment in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality by expediting the transition to alternative fuel vehicles, including electric vehicles” (§1(2) of the legislation); and
WHEREAS, the Legislature further recognized that each electric utility, depending on its unique circumstances, can determine an appropriate role in the development of electrification of transportation infrastructure; 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, City Light has created a Transportation Electrification Strategic Investment Plan aligned with the legislation and the RCW; and
WHEREAS, the Transportation Electrification Strategic Investment Plan will guide the development and implementation of the utility’s electrification of transportation infrastructure strategy and investment priorities; and
WHEREAS, in developing its Transportation Electrification Strategic Investment Plan, City Light has undertaken broad customer and stakeholder engagement across communities and sectors consistent with the City’s Race & Social Justice Initiative and in collaboration with the Department of Neighborhoods and the Office of Sustainability & Environment to get input for the Transportation Electrification Strategic Investment Plan; and
WHEREAS, City Light will continue best-practice community outreach and engagement efforts during subsequent phases of program, service, and incentive development; including collaboration between City Light staff, community members and other stakeholders to achieve long-term transportation electrification goals and objectives; and
WHEREAS, City Light has summarized its customer and stakeholder outreach and engagement efforts in its Transportation Electrification Strategic Investment Plan: Community and Stakeholder Outreach and Engagement Summary (Attachment B to this resolution); and
WHEREAS, City Light’s Transportation Electrification Strategic Investment Plan draws on the findings of a strategy report it developed in collaboration with the Rocky Mountain Institute, which found that customers (from individuals to large commercial and industrial) are electrifying vehicles (from passenger cars to seafaring ships) at an increasingly rapid rate (Attachment D to this resolution); and
WHEREAS, the Transportation Electrification Strategic Investment Plan 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 & Environment’s Equity & Environment Agenda (EEA); and
WHEREAS, City Light has summarized its racial equity analysis work completed for the Transportation Electrification Strategic Investment Plan using the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative Racial Equity Toolkit (Attachment C to this resolution); and
WHEREAS, the overall benefits of the Transportation Electrification Strategic Investment Plan 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 adoption of the Transportation Electrification Strategic Investment Plan represents a key milestone in City Light’s overall transition to the “utility of the future” that meets its customer-owners’ needs how they choose and in an efficient, innovative, and future-focused manner rooted in equity and social justice; and
WHEREAS, City Light’s Transportation Electrification Strategic Investment Plan is aligned with and will contribute to the success of the overarching Citywide Transportation Electrification Plan Framework; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the Transportation Electrification Strategic Investment Plan and the results of customer and stakeholder engagement; 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 Transportation Electrification Strategic Investment Plan, 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 Transportation Electrification Strategic Investment Plan. In formulating and developing its implementation strategy, City Light will ensure that it upholds the values of equity, the environment, and the grid.
Section 3. City Light shall submit an annual report to the Mayor and City Council on progress of implementation and further development of the overall Transportation Electrification Strategic Investment Plan. City Light will continue to review and update the Transportation Electrification Strategic Investment Plan at least every four years.
Adopted by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2020, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this ________ day of _________________________, 2020.
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President ____________ of the City Council
The Mayor concurred the ________ day of _________________________, 2020.
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Jenny A. Durkan, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2020.
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Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)
Attachments:
Attachment A - SCL Transportation Electrification Strategic Investment Plan 2021-2024
Attachment B - SCL TE SIP Community and Stakeholder Outreach and Engagement Summary
Attachment C - SCL TE SIP Racial Equity Analysis Summary
Attachment D - SCL Transportation Electrification Strategy Report