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Seattle City Council Bills and Ordinances
Information modified on March 8, 2005; retrieved on April 25, 2026 11:32 AM
Ordinance 119747
Introduced as Council Bill 112901
Title | |
|---|---|
| AN ORDINANCE relating to the City Light Department; prescribing the rates, terms and conditions for the use and sale of electricity; defining offenses and prescribing penalties; and amending Seattle Municipal Code, Chapter 21.49. | |
Description and Background | |
|---|---|
| Current Status: | Passed |
| Index Terms: | CITY-LIGHT, UTILITY-RATES, INTERLOCAL-AGREEMENTS, FRANCHISES, STREET-LIGHTING, LOW-INCOME |
| References: | Related: Res 28004, 28085; Amends: Ord 110733, 118696 |
Legislative History | |
|---|---|
| Sponsor: | PAGELER |
| Date Introduced: | September 13, 1999 |
| City Council Action Date: | November 22, 1999 |
| City Council Action: | Passed |
| City Council Vote: | 9-0 |
| Date Delivered to Mayor: | November 23, 1999 |
|
Date Signed by Mayor: (About the signature date) | November 23, 1999 |
| Date Filed with Clerk: | November 24, 1999 |
| Signed Copy: | PDF scan of Ordinance No. 119747 |
Text | |
|---|---|
|
AN ORDINANCE relating to the City Light Department; prescribing the rates, terms and conditions for the use and sale of electricity; defining offenses and prescribing penalties; and amending Seattle Municipal Code, Chapter 21.49. WHEREAS, Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 21.49, Ordinance 110733 (adopted August 23, 1982) established rates for Seattle City Light and has been amended by Ordinances 110829, 110919, 111104, 111243, 111615, 112441, 112637, 112738, 113636, 114459, 114835, 115951, 116291, 116619, 117115, 117490, 118279, 118475, 118540 and 118696; and WHEREAS, Resolution 28004 (adopted July 24, 1989) established longterm rate-setting objectives, electric rate policies for the City of Seattle; and WHEREAS, Resolution 28085 (adopted October 16, 1989) established revised financial policies for Seattle City Light which include a 1.8 debt service coverage guideline; and WHEREAS, Seattle has entered into new, fifteen-year franchise agreements with the Cities of Burien, Lake Forest Park, and Shoreline to provide electric service from Seattle City Light and expects to enter into similar franchises with the Cities of Normandy Park and SeaTac; and WHEREAS, those franchise agreements provide that those suburban cities shall not create a municipal electric utility of their own during the term of the franchise and provide for certain payments to suburban cities as consideration for such agreement; and WHEREAS, the franchise agreements recognize the authority of Seattle to charge higher rates for customers outside Seattle, within certain limitations provided in the franchise agreements; and WHEREAS, these new franchise agreements also require that, as a condition of placing its facilities in the public streets, City Light shall install, maintain and furnish equipment and power for street illumination in accord with policies and standards established by the franchise jurisdiction as part of the electric service provided to customers in that jurisdiction; and WHEREAS, Seattle has determined that it should provide customers within the City of Seattle with service equivalent to that provided in suburban franchise areas by likewise making street illumination an integral part of the electric service Seattle City Light provides; and WHEREAS, Seattle City Light provides for a significantly higher level of redundancy and reliability, at higher installation and maintenance costs, for the benefit of medium and large general service customers in underground distribution areas which reasonably justifies the creation of a separate network rate for such customers located in the central business district of Seattle; and WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the rates set out herein and has determined that the cost of service, regulations, control of use and the manner and quality of distribution are consistent with providing the users of electric service supplied by the City of Seattle efficient electric service at the lowest cost; and WHEREAS, the revenues from the rates established herein are intended to cover the Department's cost of providing service to customers and the principal and interest payments for the retirement of Revenue Bonds used for the construction of capital facilities; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Seattle Municipal Code, Chapter 21.49 is hereby amended as follows:
Seattle City Light electrical rates, as set forth in Schedule 20, Schedule 26, Schedule 31, Schedule 34, Schedule 35, Schedule 38, Schedule 39, Schedule 42, Schedule 43, Schedule 3, Schedule 48, and Schedule 81, shall be increased by eight and
nine-tenths (8.9) percent through February 28, 1995. 21.49.010 Scope. Rates and provisions for electricity and services supplied by the Seattle City Light Department shall be as set forth in this chapter. Title, chapter heading, and section and subsection titles of this chapter are designed for reference purposes and are not substitutes for the referenced textual material and do not constitute any part of the law. 21.49.020 Definitions. A. The following terms or abbreviations, as used in this chapter, have the following meanings: 1. "Applicant" means any person, firm, corporation, government agency, or other entity requesting electrical service from the Department. 2. "BPA" means the Bonneville Power Administration or successor agency. 3. "City" means The City of Seattle. 4. "City customer" means a customer receiving service at a location in the City of Seattle, the City of Tukwila, or in Whatcom County at a site related to the Department's Skagit facilities.
5.
25. "Suburban customer" means any customer that is not a city customer.
26. "Underground distribution network" means an electrical distribution configuration in which two or more City-owned secondary cables are bussed together so that the loss of any one associated distribution feeder cable will not interrupt service to the
customer.
B. The following terms, as used for the purpose of applying rate schedules, have the following meanings:
1. "General service" means service to any customer who does not qualify for residential
a. "Standard
b. "Network 2. "Residential service" means permanent electric service furnished to a dwelling unit that is separately metered for domestic use. It includes any second service determined to be domestic use and billed on the same residential account. It excludes dwellings where tenancy is typically of a transient nature such as hotels, motels, and lodges. It also excludes services which use electricity for both domestic and commercial purposes if the major portion of the service is used on an ongoing and regular basis for the conduct of business.
Boarding, lodging, rooming houses or group homes shall be considered residential services if not more than four (4) separate sleeping quarters exist for use by other than members of the customer's family. A "boarding, lodging, or rooming house" means a
building other than a hotel which advertises as a boarding, lodging, or rooming house, or is a licensed place of business with rooms available for rent. A group home is an agency which operates and maintains a group care facility on a twenty-four (24)
hour basis in a dwelling unit for the care of not more than ten (10) persons (including minor children of staff residing on the premises)
21.49.021 Rate Schedules
The City will implement a new automated system to bill customers at a point in time after January 1, 2000. In the new billing system, rate schedules will be designated by an alphabetic code consisting of either one letter or three letters. Prior to
the implementation of the new billing system, rate schedules will continue to be designated by a numeric code consisting of one or two integers. The implementation of the new billing system and the change in the rate codes will not affect the rates
charged for service. The following table identifies the numeric codes that will be used prior to the implementation of the new billing system and the corresponding alphabetic codes that will be used when the new billing system is implemented.
Rate Schedule Alphabetic Code Numeric Code
Residential: City RSC 20
Residential: Suburban RSS 50
Residential Elderly/Disabled: City REC 26
Residential Elderly/Disabled: Suburban RES 51
Residential Low-Income: City RLC 27
Residential Low-Income: Suburban RLS 52
Small General Service: City SMC 31
Small General Service: Suburban SMS 56
Medium Standard General Service: City MDC 34, 35
Medium Standard General Service: MDS 57, 58 Suburban
Medium Network General Service MDD 60, 61
Large Standard General Service: City LGC 38
Large Standard General Service: LGS 59 Suburban
Large Network General Service LGD 62
High Demand General Service HDC 42
Variable Rate General Service VRC 44
Floodlights F 3, 7
Streetlights T 48
In the following sections, references to rate schedules will be made exclusively through use of the new alphabetic codes. However, the rates designated by the alphabetic codes will also apply to the period during which the numeric codes are still used.
21.49.030 Residential rates (Schedules
A. Schedules
Schedule
Schedule RSC is for residential city customers, except those subject to Schedules REC and RLC.
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
First 300 kWh per month at 2.63cents per kWh All over 300 kWh per month at 3.82cents per kWh
Minimum Charge:
The minimum monthly charge for each meter shall be $2.92; however, when there is no consumption, there will be no charge.
RATES EFFECTIVE Energy Charges: Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
First
All over Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
First
All over
RATES EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, Energy Charges: Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
First
All over
First
All over
Schedule RSS (Residential: Suburban)
Schedule RSS is for residential suburban customers, except those subject to Schedules RES and RLS.
RATES EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 24, 1999:
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
First 10 kWh per day at 2.26cents per kWh
All over 10 kWh per day at 4.60cents per kWh
Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
First 16 kWh per day at 3.12cents per kWh
All over 16 kWh per day at 6.40cents per kWh
Base Service Charge:
9.73cents per meter per day
RATES EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 2002:
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
First 10 kWh per day at 2.41cents per kWh
All over 10 kWh per day at 5.39cents per kWh
Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
First 16 kWh per day at 2.97cents per kWh
All over 16 kWh per day at 6.68cents per kWh
Base Service Charge:
9.73cents per meter per day B. Normal residential service shall be limited to singlephase.
C. If Schedules
D. Duplexes using a single meter prior to October 13, 1978 shall be considered as a single residence for the purpose of applying Schedules
E. If an electric water heater providing potable water is served under Schedules
F. All electrical 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
21.49.040 Residential rate assistance (Schedules
A. Schedules Schedules REC (Residential Elderly/Disabled: City) and RLC (Residential Low-Income: City)
1. For Schedule
42 USC section
2. For Schedule
3. For Schedule a. Blind, or b. Sixty-five (65) years of age or older, or c. Disabled and receive funds from a disability program as a result of a disability that prevents them from working consistent with the requirements of 42 USC SS 401 et seq., or d. Require medical life support equipment which utilizes mechanical or artificial means to sustain, restore, or supplant a vital function.
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
First 300 kWh per month at 1.32cents per kWh All over 300 kWh per month at 1.91cents per kWh
Minimum Charge: Energy Charges: Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
First
All over Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
First
All over
RATES EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, Energy Charges: Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
First
All over Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
First
All over
Schedules RES (Residential Elderly/Disabled: 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 section 1381 1383; or
2. For Schedule RLS, reside in a household in which the annual income of all household members together does not exceed one hundred twentyfive (125) percent of the poverty level for the number of individuals in the household as computed annually by the
U.S. Government or the City; or
3. For Schedule RES, reside in a household in which the annual income of all household members together does not exceed seventy (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 and are:
a. Blind, or
b. Sixty-five (65) years of age or older, or
c. Disabled and receive funds from a disability program as a result of a disability that prevents them from working consistent with the requirements of 42 USC SS 401 et seq., or
d. Require medical life support equipment which utilizes mechanical or artificial means to sustain, restore, or supplant a vital function.
RATES EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 24, 1999:
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
First 10 kWh per day at 1.13cents per kWh
All over 10 kWh per day at 2.30cents per kWh
Winter Billing Cycles (September February):
First 16 kWh per day at 1.56cents per kWh
All over 16 kWh per day at 3.20cents per kWh
Base Service Charge:
4.87cents per meter per day
RATES EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 2002:
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
First 10 kWh per day at 1.21cents per kWh
All over 10 kWh per day at 2.70cents per kWh
Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
First 16 kWh per day at 1.49cents per kWh
All over 16 kWh per day at 3.34cents per kWh
Base Service Charge:
4.87cents per meter per day
B. Applicants for Schedules
C. Schedules
D. Schedules
E. Normal residential service under Schedules
F If Schedules
G. Duplexes using a single meter prior to October 13, 1978 shall be considered as a single residence for the purpose of applying Schedules
H. If an electric water heater providing potable water is served under Schedules
I. 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
J. The Department will contract for the provision 21.49.042 Emergency low-income assistance program. A. An emergency credit of fifty (50) percent of a customer's delinquent bills up to a maximum credit of Two Hundred Dollars ($200) may be granted by the Department to residential accounts, metered for a single household, which qualify under the following criteria: 1. Meet the income eligibility guidelines for assistance under the Federal Energy Crisis Intervention Program; and 2. Have received a twenty-four (24) hour notice from the Department notifying them that payment or payment arrangements must be made to prevent disconnection; and 3. Have applied for and received grants from both the Federal Energy Assistance Program and the Federal Energy Crisis Intervention Program during their current program year or funds available through these programs must have been exhausted for the current program year; and 4. Have entered into an agreement with the Department to pay a minimum of fifty (50) percent of the delinquent amount and balance. The emergency credit from this program may be applied to the required payment of the minimum of fifty (50) percent of the delinquent amount. B. A customer is eligible for the emergency credit only one (1) time in each twelve (12) month period. C. This program shall terminate thirty (30) days following the termination of either the Federal Energy Assistance Program or the Federal Crisis Intervention Program.
21.49.052 Small general service (Schedules
Schedule SMC (Small General Service: City)
RATES EFFECTIVE Energy Charges: Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
All energy at Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
All energy at Minimum Charge:
RATES EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 2002 Energy Charges: Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
All energy at Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
All energy at Minimum Charge:
Discounts: Transformer losses in kWh - .53285 x kW + .00002 x kW2 + .00527 x kWh Transformer investment -
$ Schedule SMS (Small General Service: Suburban)
Schedule SMS is for small general service provided to suburban customers who are not demand metered or, if demand metered, have in the previous calendar year more than half of their normal billings at less than fifty (50) kW of maximum demand.
Classification of new customers will be based on the Department's estimate of maximum demand in the current year.
RATES EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 24, 1999:
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
All energy at 3.55cents per kWh
Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
All energy at 4.34cents per kWh
Minimum Charge:
20.00cents per meter per day
RATES EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 2002:
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
All energy at 3.60cents per kWh
Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
All energy at 4.41cents per kWh
Minimum Charge:
20.00cents per meter per day
Discounts:
Transformer losses in kWh -
.53285 x kW + .00002 x kW2 + .00527 x kWh
Transformer investment -
$0.17 per kW of monthly maximum demand
B. For customers metered on the primary side of a transformer, the Department will either program the meter to deduct computed transformer losses or provide a discount for transformer losses C. For customers who provide their own transformation from the Department's standard distribution system voltage of four (4) kV, thirteen (13) kV, or twenty-six (26) kV to a utilization voltage, a discount for transformer investment will be provided in the amount stated in Section 21.49.052, subsection A.
D. The Department will provide one (1) transformation from the available distribution system voltage of four (4) kV or higher to a standard service voltage, and metering normally will be at the service voltage level. However, if the Department
determines that it is either uneconomical or impractical to meter at the service voltage level, the Department will meter at the distribution voltage level and will either program the meter to deduct computed transformer losses or will
reduce the monthly kWh billed If the customer elects to receive service from the Department's available distribution system voltage of four (4) kV or higher, metering will be at the distribution voltage level and the discounts for transformer losses, if applicable, and for transformer investment, if applicable, will be applied to the customer's billings. However, if the Department determines that it is either uneconomical or impractical to meter at the distribution voltage level, the Department will meter at the service voltage level and the discount for transformer losses will not be applicable.
21.49.055 Medium general service (Schedules
A.
Schedule
Schedule
RATES EFFECTIVE Energy Charges: Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
All energy at Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
All energy at Demand Charges: Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
All kW of maximum demand at $ Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
All kW of maximum demand at $ Minimum Charge:
RATES EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, Energy Charges: Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
All energy at Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
All energy at Demand Charges: Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
All kW of maximum demand at $ Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
All kW of maximum demand at $ Minimum Charge:
Discounts: Transformer losses in kWh - 1756 + .53285 x kW + .00002 x kW2+ .00527 x kWh Transformer investment -
$
Schedule
Schedule
RATES EFFECTIVE Energy Charges: Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
All energy at Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
All energy at Demand Charges: Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
All kW of maximum demand at $ Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
All kW of maximum demand at $ Minimum Charge:
RATES EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, Energy Charges: Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
All energy at Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
All energy at Demand Charges: Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
All kW of maximum demand at $ Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
All kW of maximum demand at $ Minimum Charge:
Discounts: Transformer losses in kWh - 1756 + .53285 x kW + .00002 x kW2+ .00527 x kWh Transformer investment -
$
Schedule MDD (Medium Network General Service)
Schedule MDD is for medium network general service.
RATES EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 24, 1999:
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
All energy at 3.35cents per kWh
Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
All energy at 4.31cents per kWh
Demand Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
All kW of maximum demand at $1.45 per kW
Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
All kW of maximum demand at $1.35 per kW
Minimum Charge:
86.67cents per meter per day
RATES EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 2002:
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
All energy at 3.54cents per kWh
Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
All energy at 4.61cents per kWh
Demand Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
All kW of maximum demand at $1.65 per kW
Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
All kW of maximum demand at $1.53 per kW
Minimum Charge:
90.00cents per meter per day
Discounts:
Transformer losses in kWh -
1756 + .53285 x kW + .00002 x kW2+ .00527 x kWh
Transformer investment -
$0.17 per kW of monthly maximum demand
B. For customers metered on the primary side of a transformer, the Department will either program the meter to deduct computed transformer losses or provide a discount for transformer losses C. For customers who provide their own transformation from the Department's standard distribution system voltage of four (4) kV, thirteen (13) kV, or twenty-six (26) kV to a utilization voltage, a discount for transformer investment will be provided in the amount stated in Section 21.49.055, subsection A.
D. The Department will provide one (1) transformation from the available distribution system voltage of four (4) kV or higher to a standard service voltage, and metering normally will be at the service voltage level. However, if the Department
determines that it is either uneconomical or impractical to meter at the service voltage level, the Department will meter at the distribution voltage level and will either program the meter to deduct computed transformer losses or will reduce
the monthly kWh billed If the customer elects to receive service from the Department's available distribution system voltage of four (4) kV or higher, metering will be at the distribution voltage level and the discounts for transformer losses, if applicable, and for transformer investment, if applicable, will be applied to the customer's billings. However, if the Department determines that it is either uneconomical or impractical to meter at the distribution voltage level, the Department will meter at the service voltage level and the discount for transformer losses will not be applicable.
21.49.057 Large general service (Schedules
A.
Schedule
Schedule LGC is for large standard general service provided to city customers.
RATES EFFECTIVE Energy Charges: Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
Peak: Energy used between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through
Off-peak: Energy used at all times other than the peak period at Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
Peak: Energy used between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through
Off-peak: Energy used at all times other than the peak period at Demand Charges: Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
Peak: All kW of maximum demand between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through
Off-peak: All kW of maximum demand in excess of peak maximum demand, at all times other than the peak period, at $ Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
Peak: All kW of maximum demand between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through
Off-peak: All kW of maximum demand in excess of peak maximum demand, at all times other than the peak period, at $ Minimum Charge:
RATES EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, Energy Charges: Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
Peak: Energy used between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through
Off-peak: Energy used at all times other than the peak period at Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
Peak: Energy used between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through
Off-peak: Energy used at all times other than the peak period at Demand Charges: Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
Peak: All kW of maximum demand between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through
Off-peak: All kW of maximum demand in excess of peak maximum demand, at all times other than the peak period, at $ Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
Peak: All kW of maximum demand between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through
Off-peak: All kW of maximum demand in excess of peak maximum demand, at all times other than the peak period, at $ Minimum Charge:
* Major holidays excluded from the peak period are New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Discounts: Transformer losses in kWh - 1756 + .53285 x kW + .00002 x kW2+ .00527 x kWh Transformer investment -
$
Schedule LGS (Large Standard General Service: Suburban)
Schedule LGS is for large standard general service provided to suburban customers.
RATES EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 24, 1999:
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
Peak: Energy used between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through Saturday, excluding major holidays,* at 3.42cents per kWh
Off-peak: Energy used at all times other than the peak period at 2.87cents per kWh
Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
Peak: Energy used between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through Saturday, excluding major holidays,* at 4.08cents per kWh
Off-peak: Energy used at all times other than the peak period at 3.65cents per kWh
Demand Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
Peak: All kW of maximum demand between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through Saturday, excluding major holidays,* at $0.40 per kW
Off-peak: All kW of maximum demand in excess of peak maximum demand, at all times other than the peak period, at $0.17 per kW
Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
Peak: All kW of maximum demand between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through Saturday, excluding major holidays,* at $0.40 per kW
Off-peak: All kW of maximum demand in excess of peak maximum demand, at all times other than the peak period, at $0.17 per kW
Minimum Charge:
$10.07 per meter per day
RATES EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 2002:
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
Peak: Energy used between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through Saturday, excluding major holidays,* at 3.73cents per kWh
Off-peak: Energy used at all times other than the peak period at 3.12cents per kWh
Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
Peak: Energy used between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through Saturday, excluding major holidays,* at 3.85cents per kWh
Off-peak: Energy used at all times other than the peak period at 3.43cents per kWh
Demand Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
Peak: All kW of maximum demand between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through Saturday, excluding major holidays,* at $0.29 per kW
Off-peak: All kW of maximum demand in excess of peak maximum demand, at all times other than the peak period, at $0.17 per kW
Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
Peak: All kW of maximum demand between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through Saturday, excluding major holidays,* at $0.29 per kW
Off-peak: All kW of maximum demand in excess of peak maximum demand, at all times other than the peak period, at $0.17 per kW
Minimum Charge:
$10.33 per meter per day
* Major holidays excluded from the peak period are New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Discounts:
Transformer losses in kWh -
1756 + .53285 x kW + .00002 x kW2+ .00527 x kWh
Transformer investment -
$0.17 per kW of monthly maximum demand
Schedule LGD (Large Network General Service)
Schedule LGD is for large network general service.
RATES EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 24, 1999:
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
Peak: Energy used between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through Saturday, excluding major holidays,* at 3.43cents per kWh
Off-peak: Energy used at all times other than the peak period at 2.87cents per kWh
Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
Peak: Energy used between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through Saturday, excluding major holidays,* at 4.13cents per kWh
Off-peak: Energy used at all times other than the peak period at 3.68cents per kWh
Demand Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
Peak: All kW of maximum demand between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through Saturday, excluding major holidays,* at $0.67 per kW
Off-peak: All kW of maximum demand in excess of peak maximum demand, at all times other than the peak period, at $0.17 per kW
Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
Peak: All kW of maximum demand between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through Saturday, excluding major holidays,* at $0.67 per kW
Off-peak: All kW of maximum demand in excess of peak maximum demand, at all times other than the peak period, at $0.17 per kW
Minimum Charge:
$10.07 per meter per day
RATES EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 2002:
Energy Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
Peak: Energy used between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through Saturday, excluding major holidays,* at 3.91cents per kWh
Off-peak: Energy used at all times other than the peak period at 3.25cents per kWh
Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
Peak: Energy used between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through Saturday, excluding major holidays,* at 4.06cents per kWh
Off-peak: Energy used at all times other than the peak period at 3.60cents per kWh
Demand Charges:
Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
Peak: All kW of maximum demand between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through Saturday, excluding major holidays,* at $0.84 per kW
Off-peak: All kW of maximum demand in excess of peak maximum demand, at all times other than the peak period, at $0.17 per kW
Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
Peak: All kW of maximum demand between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through Saturday, excluding major holidays,* at $0.84 per kW
Off-peak: All kW of maximum demand in excess of peak maximum demand, at all times other than the peak period, at $0.17 per kW
Minimum Charge:
$10.33 per meter per day
* Major holidays excluded from the peak period are New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Discounts:
Transformer losses in kWh -
1756 + .53285 x kW + .00002 x kW2+ .00527 x kWh
Transformer investment -
$0.17 per kW of monthly maximum demand
B. For customers metered on the primary side of a transformer, the Department will either program the meter to deduct computed transformer losses or provide a discount for transformer losses 1, 1995 shall be considered as receiving standard distribution voltage for the purpose of this section. This 34.5 kV voltage will not be offered as a standard distribution system voltage for any new customers.
21.49.058 High demand general service (Schedules
A.
Schedule
RATES EFFECTIVE Energy Charges: Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
Peak: Energy used between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through
Off-peak: Energy used at all times other than the peak period at Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
Peak: Energy used between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through
Off-peak: Energy used at all times other than the peak period at Demand Charges: Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
Peak: All kW of maximum demand between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through
Off-peak: All kW of maximum demand in excess of peak maximum demand, at all times other than the peak period, at $ Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
Peak: All kW of maximum demand between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through
Off-peak: All kW of maximum demand in excess of peak maximum demand, at all times other than the peak period, at $ Minimum Charge:
RATES EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, Energy Charges: Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
Peak: Energy used between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through
Off-peak: Energy used at all times other than the peak period at Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
Peak: Energy used between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through
Off-peak: Energy used at all times other than the peak period at Demand Charges: Summer Billing Cycles (March August)
Peak: All kW of maximum demand between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through
Off-peak: All kW of maximum demand in excess of peak period maximum demand, at all times other than the peak period, at $ Winter Billing Cycles (September February)
Peak: All kW of maximum demand between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through
Off-peak: All kW of maximum demand in excess of peak period maximum demand, at all times other than the peak period, at $ Minimum Charge:
* Major holidays excluded from the peak period are New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Discounts: Transformer losses in kWh - 1756 + .53285 x kW + .00002 x kW2+ .00527 x kWh Transformer investment -
$
Schedule
At the time a customer elects to take service under Schedule
RATES EFFECTIVE
Option 1 DJ-COB
(DJ-COB price in cents/kWh 0.07cents/kWh) x
The DJ-COB (Dow Jones-California Oregon Border) price is the appropriate peak or off-peak DJ-COB nonfirm price converted to Option 2 DJ Mid-Columbia
DJ Mid-Columbia Price in cents/kWh x
The DJ Mid-Columbia (Dow Jones Mid-Columbia) price is the appropriate peak or off-peak DJ Mid-Columbia price index converted to Retail Services Charge:
Demand Charges:
Peak: All kW of maximum demand between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through
Off-peak: All kW of maximum demand in excess of peak period maximum demand, at all times other than the peak period, at $
Minimum Charge:
$125.07 per meter per day
RATES EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 2002:
Retail Services Charge:
1.38cents/kWh
Demand Charges:
Peak: All kW of maximum demand between six (6:00) a.m. and ten (10:00) p.m., Monday through Saturday, excluding major holidays,* at $0.29 per kW
Off-peak: All kW of maximum demand in excess of peak period maximum demand, at all times other than the peak period, at $0.17 per kW
Minimum Charge:
$125.07 per meter per day * Major holidays excluded from the peak period are New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Discounts: Transformer losses in kWh - 1756 + .53285 x kW + .00002 x kW2+ .00527 x kWh Transformer investment -
$0.
B. For customers metered on the primary side of a transformer, the Department will either program the meter to deduct computed transformer losses or provide a discount for transformer losses C. For customers who provide their own transformation from the Department's standard distribution system voltage of four (4) kV, thirteen (13) kV, or twenty-six (26) kV to a utilization voltage, a discount for transformer investment will be provided in the amount stated in Section 21.49.058, subsection A. Existing customers served by the Department's 34.5 kV system as of January 1, 1995 shall be considered as receiving standard distribution voltage for the purpose of this section. This 34.5 kV voltage will not be offered as a standard distribution system voltage for any new customers. D. Customers must provide hourly load schedules each day for the following day. If a customer's load follows a regular pattern, the Department may, at its discretion, waive this requirement and request only to be informed of temporary or permanent changes to the pattern. E. The Department may request voluntary load interruption during an emergency. If interruption occurs, the demand charge will be waived for the billing period in which the interruption occurs.
F. Customers who request service under Schedule
G. Customers served under Schedule
21.49.060
A. Schedule
Schedule
RATES EFFECTIVE
Option
200 Watt Sodium Vapor, 22,000 lumens $
400 Watt Sodium Vapor, 50,000 lumens $
Option
200 Watt Sodium Vapor, 22,000 lumens $
400 Watt Sodium Vapor, 50,000 lumens $
RATES EFFECTIVE MARCH 1,
Option
200 Watt Sodium Vapor, 22,000 lumens $
400 Watt Sodium Vapor, 50,000 lumens $
Option
200 Watt Sodium Vapor, 22,000 lumens $
400 Watt Sodium Vapor, 50,000 lumens $
RATES EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 1997:
100 Watt Sodium Vapor "cobra" $4.44 per month
100 Watt Sodium Vapor "historic" $7.31 per month
RATES EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 1998:
100 Watt Sodium Vapor "cobra" $4.44 per month
100 Watt Sodium Vapor "historic"$7.31 per month
Schedule
RATES EFFECTIVE
Option
100 Watt Sodium Vapor, 9,000 lumens $
150 Watt Sodium Vapor, 16,000 lumens $
200 Watt Sodium Vapor, 22,000 lumens $
250 Watt Sodium Vapor, 27,500 lumens $
400 Watt Sodium Vapor, 50,000 lumens $
Option
100 Watt Sodium Vapor, 9,000 lumens $
150 Watt Sodium Vapor, 16,000 lumens $
200 Watt Sodium Vapor, 22,000 lumens $
250 Watt Sodium Vapor, 27,500 lumens $
400 Watt Sodium Vapor, 50,000 lumens $
RATES EFFECTIVE MARCH 1,
Option
100 Watt Sodium Vapor, 9,000 lumens $
150 Watt Sodium Vapor, 16,000 lumens $
200 Watt Sodium Vapor, 22,000 lumens $
250 Watt Sodium Vapor, 27,500 lumens $
400 Watt Sodium Vapor, 50,000 lumens $
Option
100 Watt Sodium Vapor, 9,000 lumens $
150 Watt Sodium Vapor, 16,000 lumens $
200 Watt Sodium Vapor, 22,000 lumens $
250 Watt Sodium Vapor, 27,500 lumens $
400 Watt Sodium Vapor, 50,000 lumens $
B. The monthly charge for Option C. A construction charge will be applied when a utility pole and/or a secondary circuit is not available for the installation of a streetlight or floodlight. D. Installation charges for alley lighting, decorative lighting, and other special lighting shall be established through the Administrative Code process. These installation charges are set out in Department Policy and Procedure 500 P III-401. E. Lamps will be replaced on burn-out as soon as reasonably possible after notification by the customer. F. Rates for incandescent and mercury-vapor streetlighting and floodlighting are limited to existing installations. No new installations will be made nor will existing fixtures be moved to new locations. G. City Light will not install new or relocate existing customerowned floodlights on City Light poles. H. The customer shall execute a written service agreement to take service for a minimum of two (2) years at the rates and terms prescribed from time to time by ordinance.
I. All installations of customer-owned streetlights for billing on Schedule
J. The Department shall have the authority to determine and establish charges for other types and sizes of streetlights and floodlights by the same method used in the determination of the charges established in Schedules
K. The Department shall have the authority to determine and establish, by departmental policy, the minimum distances required to be maintained between all streetlights located in residential, commercial or industrial areas. Any customer requesting
streetlighting at a location which is less than the minimum distance between lights or requesting streetlighting for private purposes shall be charged, by the Department, at the rate set out in Schedule 21.49.065 Duct, vault and pole rental rates. A. General Rental Provisions. Rental rates shall be charged on an annual basis based on the installations and attachments existing as of January 1st of each year. The full annual rental rate shall be charged for the year in which an installation or attachment is made, regardless of what point in the year use of City Light facilities commences. Each lessee shall submit annually to City Light an inventory listing the amount of duct and vault space and the number of poles used, together with the location of all ducts, vaults and poles used. This inventory shall be effective as of January 1st of each year and submitted to City Light no later than February 1st of each year. Rental charges shall be due within thirty (30) days of invoice by City Light. Any installations or attachments not identified in the lessee's inventory shall be charged at three (3) times the rental rates set forth below. In addition, in the event the lessee fails to submit an annual inventory, the lessee shall also reimburse City Light for all costs associated with performing an inventory of lessee's use of City Light facilities.
RATES EFFECTIVE Duct Rental:
$ When a customer installs an innerduct in a rented duct, the rental rate shall be:
$ Vacant innerducts shall be available to the Department for rental to other parties. Vault Rental:
$
$
Wall space and ceiling space include clearance required by the Safety Standards for Electrical Construction, WAC 296-44.
Pole Attachment Rental:
$14.19 per pole per year for poles owned solely by the Department
$7.09 per pole per year for poles owned jointly by the Department and one other party
$4.73 per pole per year for poles owned jointly by the Department and two other parties
RATES EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, Duct Rental:
$ When a customer installs an innerduct in a rented duct, the rental rate shall be:
$ Vacant innerducts shall be available to the Department for rental to other parties. Vault Rental:
$
$ Wall space and ceiling space include clearance required by the Safety Standards for Electrical Construction, WAC 296-44.
Pole Attachment Rental:
$14.70 per pole per year for poles owned solely by the Department
$7.35 per pole per year for poles owned jointly by the Department and one other party
$4.90 per pole per year for poles owned jointly by the Department and two other parties
Pole Attachment Rental:
$12.85 per pole per year for poles owned solely by the Department
$6.42 per pole per year for poles owned jointly by the Department and one other party
RATES EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 1998:
$13.24 per pole per year for poles owned solely by the Department
$6.62 per pole per year for poles owned joinly by the Department and one other party
21.49.080 Power factor rate (Schedule
A. When any inductive load causes unsatisfactory conditions on the Department's system due to induction, the Department may, at its discretion, install reactive kVA-hour meters and make a monthly charge in addition to demand and energy charges whenever
electricity delivered to the customer has an average monthly power factor of less than
Schedule
The monthly charge for average monthly power factors below 0.14cents per kVarh B. Unless specifically otherwise agreed, the Department shall not be obligated to deliver electricity to the customer at any time at a power factor below 0.85. C. The average power factor is determined as follows: For application of the Power Factor Rate, the Average Power Factor calculated with this formula will not be rounded. D. The meter for measurement of reactive kVA hours shall be ratcheted to prevent reverse registration. E. All installations of power factor corrective equipment shall be subject to the approval of the Department. The customer's corrective equipment shall be switched with the load so that at no time will it supply leading reactive kVAs to the Department's distribution system unless written Department approval is obtained to do so.
F. This monthly charge may be waived in whole or in part to the extent that the Department determines that a power factor of less than
G. Customers who install new or enlarged arc furnaces shall install static var generators for flicker control and power factor correction for the entire arc furnace load. The generators shall have one-half (1/2) cycle response time and independent
phase control, supply sufficient reactive power to prevent objectionable flicker at the common connection point of the arc furnace with other utility customers, maintain a minimum power factor of
Section 21.49.081 Automatic Transmission Cost Adjustment.
Energy charges in effect on October 1, 2001 under all rate schedules except Schedules T, F, and VRC, energy charges scheduled to take effect on March 1, 2002 under all rate schedules except Schedule VRC, and the retail services charge under Schedule VRC
shall be increased in an amount equal to 0.002 cents per kWh for each percentage point by which the cost per kW of transmission services provided by the Bonneville Power Administration to the Department under rates effective October 1, 2001 exceeds
$1.001 per kW, provided that for customers served under Schedules REC, RLC, RES and RLS, energy rates shall be increased by 0.001 cent per kWh for each such percentage point increase. SMC 21.49.090 Rate, meter reading, and billing provisions. A. Prohibition of Departures from Adopted Rates and Rate Discrimination. The Department shall have no authority, by express contract or otherwise, to change or vary the schedule of rates and charges established by ordinance or to act in any way that would violate RCW 80.28.080. It shall be the responsibility of the Department to collect any undercharge, whether intentionally or inadvertently made, to prevent preferential treatment in violation of RCW 80.28.090 or rate discrimination in violation of RCW 80.28.100.
B. Single Meter, Single Service. All rates in this chapter apply to electricity supplied through a single meter to individual customers at each building or premises not separated by intervening property, streets, or alleys commonly used as public
thoroughfares. At the option of the Department, however, two (2) or more physically and mechanically connected buildings used for a single business function under one (1) ownership may be supplied through one (1) point of delivery and one (1) meter
even though they are separated by intervening property or a street or alley. Two (2) buildings merely joined by a walkway or mall across the street, alley, or public thoroughfare will not be allowed a single service and meter for both. In the event two
(2) or more premises under one (1) ownership that are physically and mechanically connected, used for a single business function, and supplied through one (1) point of delivery and one (1) meter, undergo a change in ownership, so that each premises is
separately owned, each premises will require a single service pursuant to this chapter. Each building owner(s) will be responsible for the conversion to a single meter at its sole expense. Such conversion will be subject to the installation charges
set out in Section 21.49.110 C. Added Service. At the discretion of the Department, any additional service supplied to the same customer in the same structure at different voltage or phase shall be separately metered and billed, and the customer shall pay for the installation of the service. D. Totalizing Multiple Meters. The Department may waive the application of rates to each meter and permit the reading of two (2) or more meters at a single contiguous location to be totaled for billing purposes when the Department determines that the maintenance of adequate service and/or that the Department's convenience requires more than one (1) meter for each type of service or load classification. E. Single Meter, Multiple Units: Owner/Tenant Billing. An account with one (1) meter serving more than one (1) unit will be billed to the property owner at City Light's option. When such services are identified, the Department will place the account in the owner's name effective the date of identification, unless the Department determines that another date would be more appropriate. It is the responsibility of the owner/manager to give City Light written notice that the account premises has a split load (i.e., one (1) meter serves multiple units). Any terms and conditions contained in a lease or rental agreement for payment of electric services are not binding on the Department. In the event there is a dispute relating to such lease or rental agreement, the owner/manager shall be responsible for the timely payment for the electric service provided to the account premises. Failure to make such payments shall result in immediate termination of such service. F. Rate Schedule Switching. No more than one (1) change to or from a rate schedule shall be made by the same customer during a twelve (12) month period unless the nature of the customer's electrical equipment or use of electricity changes. G. Demand Intervals. Billing demand shall be the highest recorded demand (expressed in kW) during any fifteen (15) minute interval of the billing period, as determined at the Department's option by demand meter with either a fixed or sliding fifteen (15) minute interval, periodic load test, or assessment. H. Seasonal Proration. All seasonal rates shall be prorated.
I. Meter Records; Estimated Meter Reads. Meters shall be read and bills rendered either monthly or bimonthly as scheduled by the Department. A record of meter readings will be kept by the Department, and the records shall be the basis for
determination of bills rendered for metered service. It shall be the customer's responsibility to notify the Department of the date the customer began using the electric service. If the customer fails to notify the Department, the Department shall
designate a date for billing purposes. If an accurate meter reading is not obtained for any reason, including, but not limited to, the customer's failure to notify the Department, meter failure, meter reading error, clerical error and/or accounting
system malfunction, the meter reading may be estimated by the Department. In estimating meter reading (electrical consumption) it is not necessary that the estimate be made with mathematical certainty. In developing an
estimate
J. Prorating Nonstandard Meter Reads. The rate schedules in this chapter indicate the charges for one (1) month's service. If usage is billed for longer or shorter intervals than normal billing periods, customer bills will be prorated. For purposes
of applying demand charges in general service rate schedules, twenty-eight (28) to thirty-five (35) days shall be considered a normal billing period. Energy charges in residential rate schedules and minimum charges and K. Billings When the Meter Malfunctions. If the Department's seal on a meter, meter enclosure, current transformer enclosure, current limiter enclosure, or a terminal box is broken, or if for any reason as determined by the Department a meter does not properly register the electricity used, the customer shall be charged for usage, estimated by the Department pursuant to subsection I of this section above and billed accordingly. L. When Service Is Interrupted. If the operation of the Department's generating, transmission, or distribution system is suspended, interrupted, or interfered with for any cause including but not limited to suspension or interruption due to planned or unplanned maintenance, Department equipment failure, suspension, interruption, or interference due to droughts, lightning and rain storms, wind storms, floods, fires, strikes, earthquakes, accidents, acts of God, the public enemy, war, governmental regulations, orders or proclamations, laws, mobs, riots, and transportation difficulties, the Department need not deliver electricity and the customer need not accept or pay for electric service for such period of time and to the extent that the suspension, interruption, or interference makes it reasonably impractical to deliver or use electricity. If the operation of the customer's work, plant or establishment is suspended, interrupted or interfered with for any cause reasonably beyond the customer's control, including but not limited to suspension or interruption due to droughts, floods, fires, strikes, accidents, acts of God, the public enemy, war, governmental regulations, orders or proclamations, laws, mobs, riots and transportation difficulties, the customer need not accept or pay for electric service for such period of time and to the extent that the suspension, interruption or interference makes it reasonably impractical to use electricity. Bills for any period including any suspension, interruption, or interference of departmental systems or customer plant or establishment, as described above, shall be prorated exclusive of minimum charges. Within one (1) week of any interruption, suspension, or interference the customer shall give written notice to the Department to read meters in order to make it possible to prorate billings. M. Special Minimum Charges. A minimum monthly charge other than that specified under a particular rate schedule may be established by the Department to protect the Department's investment and to recover the fixed operating cost associated with providing an electric service. N. Average Payment Plan. Pursuant to the Administrative Code (Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 3.02) the Department shall establish an average payment plan whereby a residential customer's expected billings for the next year may be averaged throughout the year in equal installments which normally shall be adjusted no more than once per calendar year. The Department, however, may adjust the payment level during the year to account for certain exigent circumstances, such as a rate change or a customer's deficit exceeding a certain level. The average payment plan shall be made available upon request to any residential customer of the Department who has established a twelve (12) month billing history on his or her current account, or on the basis of an estimate of consumption satisfactory to the Department. The average payment plan, however, shall cease to be available one (1) year from the date of enrollment in the average payment plan to those residential customers who own their dwelling unit and who use electric heat as defined in Seattle Municipal Code Section 21.52.210 (Ordinance 109675, Section 2) 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 Seattle Municipal Code Section 21.52.260 (Ordinance 109675, Section 8) as of that date. O. Overdue Bills and Disconnection. All charges shall become payable by the due date shown on individual bills. If the charges are not paid, service may be disconnected following reasonable and appropriate notice to the customer by the Department. SMC 21.49.100 Application and contract provisions. A. Sole Provider. In order to ensure safety and system integrity, the customer shall be required to purchase all electricity from the Department or from sources approved by the Department. B. Service Contracts and Agreements: Customers' Obligations. Applicants or customers desiring electric service shall make application to and may be required to sign an application furnished by the Department before service is supplied. Failure to notify the Department of use of service or to sign a contract when requested shall constitute sufficient cause for the Department to disconnect or refuse to provide electric service. Upon acceptance by the Department, the application shall constitute a contract between the Department and the applicant by which the Department agrees to furnish and the applicant agrees to accept and pay for electric service for the premises specified under the rates, terms, and provisions prescribed from time to time by ordinance. In the absence of an application for service or signed contract, the furnishing of electric service by the Department and the use of such service by the customer shall constitute a contract and the customer agrees to pay for such electric service under the rates, terms and provisions of the applicable rate ordinance as amended from time to time. The acceptance of application for service by the Department or the use by the customer of electric service provided by the Department will constitute an open and continuous contract for electric services between the Department and the customer. The receipt and acceptance of a payment of a periodic billing by the Department does not constitute payment in full for electric service unless it reflects the actual amount of service provided. In the event the bill reflects an amount that is less than the amount of electric service provided, the customer shall be liable for such difference. The customer is liable for all services rendered at the published rate and failure of the utility to bill does not release the customer from such liability. The open and continuing contract remains in effect until terminated by the customer or the Department and the customer will be required to pay any unbilled or underbilled service costs that are billed or rebilled within six (6) years of the date of termination. In the event that a customer uses the electric service provided by the Department but fails to receive billing for service, it shall be the customer's responsibility to notify the Department of the failure to receive a bill. It shall be the customer's responsibility to notify the Department in writing within sixty (60) days from the billing date, if a customer receives a bill on which the customer believes that the wrong rate schedule has been applied or that any other defect in billing exists. The Department assumes no responsibility for retroactive adjustments prior to the bill for which the Department has been provided such written notice.
C. Department's Obligation to Serve; Customers' Obligation to Pay. The Department, within its capabilities and under the rates, terms, and provisions of applicable City ordinances, shall supply electric service to all customers upon approval of
application for electric service. The customer shall be responsible for all charges under the conditions of the contract and the rates and terms prescribed by ordinance or written Department rules and regulations, and shall be responsible for all
charges to the time specified in the application or for the period of occupancy and/or control of the premises. Notice to close an account or disconnect service to any premises shall be given by the customer at any business office of the Department.
If the customer does not give prior written notice to the Department to close an account or disconnect service to a premises on a certain date, the Department may bill the customer to a closing date determined by the
Department
D. Joint Accounts and Guarantors. Where more than one (1) person (joint account or guarantor) is named on an electric account, both parties shall be jointly and several E. Condominium Disconnections. The Department shall not disconnect service to a customer at the request of a Condominium Association for the purpose of implementing RCW 64.32.200(1), the Horizontal Property Regimes Act. In the event a facility is operated as a condominium association pursuant to the Horizontal Property Regimes Act (RCW Chapter 64.32) all units will be separately metered. It shall be the condominium association's responsibility to provide, at its sole cost, the necessary entrance service and meter bases required by this chapter and the Department's Service Requirements. F. Contract Violations. If a customer violates the contract with the Department or orders the closure of an account or service disconnect to any premises, the customer shall be responsible for all loss or damage incurred by the City by reason thereof. G. Prohibition of Submetering. The customer shall not install or use equipment or devices to submeter electricity for the purpose of reselling or otherwise apportioning the costs of electric energy usage except as provided for in Section 21.49.100, subsection H. H. Prohibition of Submetering: Exceptions. The Department shall not provide electricity to any customer who submeters any part of the electricity for the purpose of resale or apportionment or who otherwise apportions the costs of electric energy use to any other consumer, except that the Department shall permit such resale or apportionment for the following purposes: 1. Boat Mooring Establishments. New or upgraded service to boat mooring establishments shall be master metered. The Department will not provide meters for individual moorage spaces nor directly bill individual boat moorage tenants at a boat moorage establishment where a new service has been installed or an existing service has been upgraded after September 25, 1982. Resale by customer operators shall be at an average rate not to exceed the operator's average cost per kWh as billed by the Department and shall not exceed the proportion of the costs for which the boat moorage tenant is responsible. 2. Mobile Home Parks. This exception applies to only those mobile home park operators submetering and reselling electricity as of August 1, 1980. New or upgraded services to mobile home parks will be provided in accordance with written Department rules and regulations. Resale by customer operators shall be at an average rate not to exceed the operator's average cost per kWh as billed by the Department and shall not exceed the proportion of the costs for which the mobile home park tenant is responsible.
3. Other Purposes. On a case-by-case basis, the Department may permit a customer, subject to the provisions of Section 21.49.110 J, to submeter for the purpose of apportioning the cost of electric
energy I. Applicant and Customer Deposits. Applicants and customers may be required by the Department to deposit an amount of money to be held as security for payment of all bills and claims during the period of service. The Department may refuse to connect an applicant's service for failure to pay a deposit when requested, and may disconnect a customer's service for failure to pay a deposit when requested. The deposits may be required upon the Department's determination that the financial status or record of the applicant or customer warrants a deposit. Such deposit may not exceed the amount of the bill it is estimated will accrue during two (2) typical billing periods. Upon termination of service, or after twelve (12) billing periods if the customer's credit warrants, the deposits, less any amount owed by the customer, may be returned to the customer. When the deposit is returned, interest will be paid at the rate of six (6) percent per annum on a deposit held longer than six (6) months. Interest payable shall be computed from the first day of the month following the date of deposit to the last day of the month the deposit is refunded. J. Vacant Premises. Property owners shall be responsible for electricity used when the premises are vacant. Owners of leased or rented premises shall be responsible for electricity used by the premises until the Department is notified to open an account for a tenant. Owners shall be responsible for electricity used by the vacant premises whether the account is in the name of the owner or a tenant. K. Account Service Charge. An applicant or a customer shall be charged an account service charge for establishing an account. The charge shall be included in the initial billing to the first permanent occupant after the establishment of an account. The schedule of charges shall be established through the Administrative Code process. The account service charge shall not apply in the following cases: 1. For a name, address, or rate schedule change involving the same premises and account, or the addition of names to existing accounts; 2. For temporary service used for the purpose of new construction; 3. For meters or other charges added to an existing account;
4. For customers billed on Schedules 5. For the transfer of responsibility for an existing account for service to an existing premises from the occupant of record to another party, and the assumption by that other party of the obligation to pay for the service, when no opening or closing of the account is involved; 6. For billing of vacancy current to property owners or authorized agent; 7. For a change in status between vacant and occupied. L. Authority to Surcharge. During periods of system energy deficiencies, the Department may bill and the customer may be required to pay any additional charges and/or surcharges necessary to recover the cost of electricity acquired for the purpose of eliminating the system energy deficiency; the additional charges and/or surcharges may be imposed on all electric services whether rendered or to be rendered during the period of energy deficiency; provided, that no charges and/or surcharges will be billed, nor will the customer be required to pay them, until the charges and/or surcharges have been authorized by ordinance. 21.49.110 Electric service connection provisions. A. Rule-making Authority. The Department shall have the authority to adopt and enforce rules and regulations, consistent with this chapter and the provisions of the Administrative Code (Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 3.02, Ordinance 102228, as amended), for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this chapter governing availability of service and materials from the Department. Notwithstanding the repeal of Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 21.48 (Ordinance 109218, as amended), all existing rules and regulations adopted by the Department shall remain in effect until modified or revoked.
B. Confirmation of Meters. In buildings with multiple accounts, it shall be the responsibility of each customer (whether building owner, tenant, or agent) to confirm the number of meters installed at the customer's premises and check all meter numbers
with the meter numbers on the electric service bill. It is the customer's responsibility to notify the Department in writing within sixty (60) days of It shall be the responsibility of owners of buildings with multiple accounts, or their agents, to assure that all electric meters are connected to the appropriate apartment, housing unit, or business establishment. Apartments or dwelling unit addresses, including apartment numbers, shall not be changed or reordered without notifying the Department in writing at least thirty (30) days prior to such change or reordering. In the event apartment or dwelling unit numbers or addresses are changed or reordered, the owner or the owner's agent shall notify the Department thirty (30) days in advance of any such change. The Department may visit the site to verify such changes and confirm that each apartment or dwelling unit is connected to the proper meter. For such meter check by the Department, the building owner shall be billed the actual cost required to perform such meter check. C. Service Entrance Requirements. On initial installations or modifications to initial installations, the customer shall provide service entrance equipment which meets applicable Seattle and King County electrical codes and the Department's written rules and regulations. In the event a customer's electric service was installed before Seattle or King County enacted the current electrical code the customer may not be required by the electrical code to upgrade his/her service. It shall be the responsibility of the owner/customer to determine if changes to the electrical system are necessary to receive the safety benefits of the new or amended electrical codes and the National Electrical Code. It shall be a violation of this chapter to connect a building's electrical wiring to the Department's electrical system if the wiring of the building was not authorized by a proper City or county permit, does not meet the applicable existing electrical codes or was not inspected by the proper authority. D. Authority and Responsibility for System Design and Construction. The design and construction of the Department's transmission and distribution system shall be within the sole discretion of the Department; such design and construction shall consider public and employee safety, system efficiency, system uniformity, and the economic impact of such design and construction on electric rates. In the event a customer wants any system (distribution) change for its own convenience or for aesthetics, the utility may at its sole discretion make such system change or modification, provided that the customer shall pay, in advance of construction, the estimated cost of time and materials and the final actual cost when the construction is completed. E. Prohibition of Master Metering. The Department shall not supply electricity for any new service to a duplex or multiple-dwelling building for the purpose of master metering the energy usage of the dwelling units, a central space heating system, or a central domestic water heating system. The Department shall not supply electricity for any larger service to an existing duplex or multiple-dwelling building for the purpose of master metering new central or individual space heating systems. Accessory Housing Exception. An owner occupied dwelling unit also containing an additional "accessory housing unit" meeting all provisions as defined in Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 23.44 and approved by The City of Seattle shall be exempt from the master metering provisions of this chapter. F. Efficiency Standards. Pursuant to the Administrative Code (Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 3.02, Ordinance 102228, as amended) the Department shall adopt rules and regulations to promote conservation of The City of Seattle's electric energy resources by the designation of end-use efficiency standards to limit energy waste from all new or enlarged electric service connections. The Department may also designate end-use efficiency standards to limit energy waste from conversions to electric space heat at existing electric service connections. For the purpose of this section, "end-use" shall be defined as the final conversion of electric energy on the customer's premises into lighting, heating, cooling, and/or other mechanical processes. The Department may require compliance with the rules and regulations as a condition for the supply or continued supply of electric service. Pursuant to the Administrative Code (Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 3.02, Ordinance 102228, as amended) the Department shall: 1. Give notice of any public hearings held on proposed efficiency standards; 2. Afford all interested persons an opportunity to present data, views or arguments in regard to proposed efficiency standards; 3. Give appropriate consideration to economic values, along with any environmental, social, health, and safety factors affecting proposed efficiency standards. The Department shall also apply the following specific criteria in developing, reviewing, and adopting all efficiency standards: 4. Efficiency standards must be cost effective. An efficiency standard shall be considered cost effective if the life cycle costs of complying with the standard are below the incremental system costs of generating, transmitting, and distributing electricity from the leastcost alternative new source of supply. 5. Efficiency standards must apply equitably to all customers in a customer class. 6. Efficiency standards must be no more stringent than the City's requirements for new construction. In adopting any new or amended efficiency standards after August 1, 1984, the Department may consider including the following requirements: 7. A requirement that an electric energy analysis be performed; 8. A requirement that the customer implement the electric energy analysis recommendations; 9. A requirement that the size of service be limited to that required to serve the intended use of electricity in order to prevent oversizing the service; 10. A requirement that a customer provide the Department with advance notice of any request for a new or enlarged service connection. In the development of each efficiency standard the Department shall solicit technical assistance from the customer class affected by the standard. In addition, the Department shall periodically review and evaluate all efficiency standards designated pursuant to this chapter and shall revise them as necessary to reflect the changing needs of the Department's generation, transmission, and distribution systems. G. Protective Devices. The Department may require customers to provide on their premises, at their own expense, additional protective devices deemed necessary by the Department to protect the Department's property or personnel, or the property or personnel of the Department's other customers. However, failure to require such protective devices does not relieve the customer of its responsibility to provide the necessary protective devices to protect itself, its property and/or equipment from electrical transients, surges and/or loss of power. It is the responsibility of customers using sensitive electronic equipment, computers, and computer peripheral equipment to provide, at their own expense, all protective devices necessary to protect such equipment against electromagnetic fields, natural and switching transients, power surges, planned power outages, emergency power outages and any other occurrence which occurs on the Department's electrical system that is not within the control of the Department or is due to the natural mechanical failure of any of the equipment utilized to support and operate the Department's electrical system. It is also the customer's responsibility to provide the necessary emergency backup electrical system sufficient to protect the customer's sensitive electronic equipment and provide emergency electrical power as necessary to operate essential personal, business and medical equipment. H. Three (3) Phase Motors: Protective Devices. Customers shall have the responsibility to provide suitable devices adequate to protect their three (3) phase motors and other equipment against reversal of phase rotation and single phasing. I. Devices to Control Quality of Energy. Where the customer's use of electrical equipment results in an interference with the quality of the customer's own service or that of neighboring customers, or where the customer requires voltage control within unusually close limits, the Department may require the customer to provide at the customer's own expense such special or additional equipment as is required. This may apply to cases of extreme unbalance of single and three (3) phase loads. Customer loads which cause voltage fluctuation, harmonic current distortion, or harmonic voltage distortion shall not exceed the values given in "IEEE Recommended Practices and Requirements for Harmonic Control in Electric Power Systems, IEEE-519," latest revision. J. License Requirements. It shall be unlawful for any person other than a duly authorized Department employee or agent of the Department to make an electrical connection between the Department's electrical system and any customer's wiring. With the written approval of the Department, a customer may contract with a qualified electrical contractor licensed under Chapter 19.28 RCW to install any material or equipment in lieu of having Department personnel perform the installation. The qualified electrical contractor shall be solely responsible for any damages resulting from the installation of any temporary service, permanent service, or expanded service and the Department shall be immune from any tortious conduct actions as to that installation. K. Authorized Service Connections. No customer shall connect their service with that of any other customer, or in any way supply any other person or premises with electricity through their service, except as approved by the Department after the filing of a written application with the Department for the connection and receipt of a permit from the Department for connection. Master-metered services approved prior to October 5, 1978 are exempt. New or enlarged services to a duplex or multiple-dwelling building shall have common areas and common equipment supplied through a separate house meter. L. Hazardous Wiring. The Department may refuse to connect the applicant's service conductors to the Department's electrical system or may disconnect an existing service if in the Department's judgment the applicant's wiring or electrical equipment is hazardous to life or property, or the Department's written rules and regulations have not been followed. M. Maintenance of Safe Wiring. Customers shall at all times keep their wiring and electrical equipment in such condition that the wiring and equipment can be used without causing damage to the Department, its property, or personnel. The Department shall have the authority at any time to disconnect its electrical system from any wiring or electrical equipment which is defective or dangerous and refuse to reconnect its electrical system until the defective or dangerous wiring or electrical equipment is properly repaired or restored. N. Access to Meters. Any duly authorized Department employee shall have free and safe access at any reasonable time to any and all premises furnished with electricity by the Department, for the purpose of reading, inspecting, repairing, installing or removing meters, electrical devices, or wiring of the Department, for the connection or disconnection of service, or for any other reasonable purpose connected with the performance of the contract for the provision of electric service. The owner, tenant or person in control of the premises shall restrain and control all dogs or animals of any kind that limit or appear to limit safe access to the premises for any of the purposes cited above. It shall be the responsibility of the owner, its agent or the tenant to remove all safety hazards that might in any way harm or injure authorized City employees performing their duties. Such safety hazards shall include, but not be limited to, booby traps of any kind, construction hazards, sharp or falling objects or debris that may cause injury. The determination of whether a condition is safe will be in the sole discretion of the City employee seeking entry to the premises. For the Department's systems in underground network areas, twenty-four (24) hour personnel access shall be provided to all vaults and switchgear rooms on customer property. Upon request, the customer shall correct any condition that limits or restricts free and safe access to the Department's meters or service. Failure of the customer to comply within a reasonable time specified shall subject the customer to disconnection of service. No customer shall convert any room or other building area containing electrical meters, or other devices or wiring of the department, to a dwelling unit or other type of living quarters. If a room or other building area containing electrical meters or other department equipment is partitioned, the area containing such equipment shall have separate access to common areas or to the outside. All other adopted requirements and regulations for access, clearance, locations, etc., shall apply. Upon request the customer shall separate electrical meters or other department equipment from living quarters in accordance with the provisions above. Failure of the customer to comply within a reasonable time specified shall subject the customer to disconnection of service. O. Meter Seals. The Department may install sealable locking devices on certain enclosures containing unmetered conductors, including but not limited to meter sockets, meter enclosures, current transformer enclosures, test switch enclosures, wire troughs, bus gutters, and terminal boxes. P. Meter Tampering Protection. When current has been diverted around the Department's metering equipment or when the Department's metering equipment has been tampered with to adversely affect metering registration, the Department may require the customer or property owner at his/her expense to repair, relocate or replace his/her service entrance equipment in a manner determined by the Department to prevent future incidents of current diversion. Q. Customers' Responsibility. Notwithstanding any other provisions of any other code or ordinance: 1. It is the responsibility of customers to protect themselves, life, and property from the use, misuse, and/or availability of electrical current on their premises and from the consequences of the use, misuse, and/or availability of electrical current on their premises. 2. It is the responsibility of customers to provide, install, use, inspect, and maintain suitable protection and protective devices to protect themselves, life, and property from any defect, failure, malfunction, and/or electrical fault in or originating in any electrical wiring, current-consuming devices, or other equipment which they may own, operate, install, or maintain; and to protect themselves, life, and property from the consequences of any defect, failure, malfunction, and/or electrical fault in or originating in any electrical wiring, current-consuming devices, or other equipment which they may own, operate, install, or maintain, including protection from surge voltages generated within their premises and generated by lightning, switching, and arcing on the Department's system to the full range of parameters described in "IEEE Recommended Practice on Surge Voltages in Low-Voltage AC Power Circuits, C62.41-1991," or latest revision. Customers may consult with Department personnel, but such consultation shall not absolve customers from any of the responsibilities in this chapter, nor shall such consultation be relied upon as providing any substitute for professional advice from the customer's own engineers or contractors. It is the responsibility of customers to maintain their electrical systems and to ensure that their electrical service equipment meets all current electrical codes and standards. City Light's responsibility ends and the customer's responsibilities begin at the weatherhead or other point of service as specified by the most recent version of Requirements for Electric Service Connection. The customer's service includes, but is not limited to, electrical service panels and entrance equipment (including meter sockets and enclosures), and ducts, vaults, and handholds on the customer's side of the point of service connection. In the case of failure of or damage to direct buried service conductor, the customer is responsible for digging a trench to facilitate repair of the conductor. R. Customer's Liability. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as placing upon the Department any responsibility for the condition, maintenance, or safety of customers' electrical wiring or currentconsuming devices or other equipment; and the Department shall not be responsible for any loss or damage resulting from defects, failures, malfunctions, or electrical faults in or originating in any electrical wiring, current-consuming devices, or other equipment which customers may own or operate, install or maintain. The Department shall not be responsible for damage to persons or property arising from the use of electric service on the premises of the customer. S. Notification of Added Load. In order to prevent damage to the Department's equipment and impairment of its service, customers shall give the Department notice before making any additions to their connected load so that the Department, at its option, may provide the facilities which may be necessary for furnishing the increased service. The customer shall be liable for any damages to the Department that may occur and for any additional charges that may accrue as a result of the failure to so notify the Department. T. Installation Charges. Any applicant or customer receiving a new or an enlarged service installation or converting an existing service from an overhead connection to an underground connection shall be charged the material and labor costs incurred by the Department in making the installation less the material and labor costs of transformers and associated network protectors supplied by the Department. The Department shall have the authority to establish standard installation charges representing the average material and labor costs for customers who receive basic service installations which do not require a vault as specified in the Department's Requirements for Electric Service Connection manual. Such standard charges shall be developed pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Code (Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 3.02 , Ordinance 102228, as amended). All applicant(s) or customer(s) receiving the conversion of an existing overhead electrical distribution system to an underground system shall: 1. Reimburse the utility in full for all materials and labor costs in excess of the salvage value of the existing overhead system and conversion costs, if any, from four (4) to twentysix (26) kV; 2. Reimburse the utility in full for material and labor costs, if any, to underground and/or replace/install streetlights. Installation charges are not rates for electrical service and reflect only costs incurred by the Department for new and expanded services. U. Losses from Interruptions of Service. The Department shall not be liable for any loss, injury, or damage resulting from the interruption, fluctuation, restoration, or reduction of electric service from any cause beyond the control of the Department, including, but not limited to, fire, flood, drought, winds, acts of elements, court orders, interruptions or riots, generation failures, lack of sufficient generation capacity, breakdowns or damage to facilities of the Department or of third parties, acts of God or public enemy, strikes or other labor disputes, civil, military, or governmental authority, electrical disturbances originating on or transmitted through the electrical systems with which the Department system is interconnected, and acts or omissions of third parties.
In the event of electric service interruption, fluctuation, or reduction resulting from damage to or failure of Department equipment or facilities, the Department has the sole authority to determine the order of repairs. In making the determination of
the order of repairs, the Department may consider, but is not bound to, the following order of repair and energization: substations Moreover, the Department shall not be liable for any such loss resulting from repair, maintenance, improvement, renewal, or replacement work on the Department's electrical system, which work, in the sole judgment of the Department, is necessary or prudent. To the extent practical, work shall be done at such times as will minimize inconvenience to the customer and the customer shall be given notice of such work in accordance with the rules and policies of the Department. Further, the Department's liability shall be limited for failure of generation and distribution, inadequacy of energy supply, implementation of emergency plans, or temporary disconnection for repairs and maintenance or for failure to pay for service rendered. V. Emergencies. During an emergency declared by appropriate civil authority, the Department shall have the authority to curtail electric service to any customer. The Department shall have the authority to restrict the use of loads and/or services during periods of emergency when the Department, in its sole judgment, determines that the continued use of the loads would jeopardize the Department's generation, transmission, or distribution system. Operation of the Department's automatic relay/breaker system is sufficient cause to terminate service. The Department shall prioritize its repair responses during declared emergencies or during system outages caused by weather conditions. In the event of a declared emergency, the Department shall prioritize the restoration of its electrical system, first by responses to directions or orders of the Mayor and Emergency Control Center, and next by restoration of power to the Department's electrical system as the Department's electrical system judgment dictates. W. No Express or Implied Warranty. The Department provides no express or implied warranties involving the electrical service provided by the Department, including the design and construction of the Department's electrical system, or its transmission and distribution systems. 21.49.120 Equipment and facilities provisions. A. Source of Meters. All meters and other equipment used for billing purposes shall be furnished by the Department. B. Ownership of Meters. All equipment furnished by the Department shall be and remain the Department's property, and the right to remove, replace, or repair it is expressly reserved. C. Vandalism and Disconnection of Electrical Equipment. Unless authorized by the Department, no person shall commit the following acts or cause others to commit the following acts: in any manner damage, mutilate, destroy, remove, connect, disconnect, or in any way interfere or tamper with any machinery, poles, wires, meters, seals, or other equipment belonging to, or in any manner connected with, the light and power plant of the Department. Whenever it becomes necessary to disconnect, remove, or relocate any poles, wires, underground facilities, or other equipment belonging to the Department, the work shall be done by or under the direction of the Department. Prior notice shall be given to the Department by the person desiring the work done, stating when and where the work is required. The person desiring the work may be required to pay the cost of labor and material required to do the work. D. Contractor Work in Vaults. No contractor or any other person may enter a City Light owned electrical handhold or vault without first notifying the Department in writing twenty-four (24) hours prior to such entry and having in hand written permission to enter such handhold or vault and having present a Department safety watch during the entire contractor operation. All such work performed in the electrical handhold or vault shall be performed by the contractor pursuant to the safety requirements of the Washington Administrative Code. No contractor shall connect, disconnect, remove or relocate any Department-owned wires, facilities or other equipment located in an electrical handhold or vault. Any such connection, disconnection, removal or relocation of the Department's facilities shall be done by or under the direction of the Department. The contractor requesting such Department assistance shall pay all cost of labor, materials and administration. Failure to comply with this provision shall be a violation of this chapter and subject to the penalties of Section 21.49.140. E. Illegal Reconnection. Whenever the Department disconnects a customer's service for failure to pay or any other violation of this chapter, the customer is prohibited from reconnecting such service. Upon discovery of an illegal reconnection, the customer's service shall be disconnected at the pole, hand hole, alleycan, or terminal can. The service shall be reconnected by the Department only when all service charges, reconnect fees, and administrative and investigative charges, including interest, have been paid in full or payment arrangements acceptable to the Department have been made. F. Penalty for Damage. Persons who in any way damage Department property, facilities, or equipment may be prosecuted and/or charged for replacement, repair, revenue loss, and administrative costs. In the event the damage occurs on private property, the customer, owner, or person in control of the premises will be presumed to be responsible for the damage. G. Current Diversion. When electricity is diverted around the Department's meter, or when the meter is tampered with or affected so that the meter will not measure and record the full amount of electricity supplied to the customer, owner, or person in control of the premises, the customer, owner, or person will be presumed to be responsible for payment for the electricity which is determined by the Department to have been diverted improperly to his/her own use, and to be in violation of this chapter. The Department may commence actions for three (3) times the amount of actual damages, if any, plus the cost of the suit and reasonable attorney's fees, plus the costs incurred by the Department on account of meter bypassing, tampering or unauthorized reconnections, as provided in RCW 80.28. H. Notification of Defective Service. The Department shall be notified in case of defective service by the customer, owner, or person in control of the premises. I. Phase, Voltage, and Frequency Standard. Electric service furnished under this chapter shall be alternating current at sixty (60) Hertz, available at the phase and voltage which may be prescribed by the Department. The variation in steady state average voltage shall not be more than six (6) percent above or five (5) percent below the nominal voltage. A greater variation of voltage than herein specified may be allowed when service is supplied directly from a transmission line, or in case of emergency service, or in a limited or extended area where the revenues received do not justify close voltage regulation. In such cases the best voltage regulation that is practicable under the circumstances shall be provided. Variations in voltage in excess of those specified, caused by the action of the elements, by infrequent and unavoidable fluctuation of short duration due to system operation, by regional voltage collapse, or by the operation of power apparatus on the customer's premises that necessarily requires large starting currents and only affects the user of such apparatus, shall not be considered a violation of this rule. Where the utility's distribution facilities supplying customers are adequate and of sufficient capacity to carry actual loads normally imposed, the utility may require that equipment on customers' premises shall be such that starting and operating characteristics will not cause an instantaneous voltage drop of more than four (4) percent of the nominal voltage or cause objectionable flicker in other customers' lights. The nominal sixty (60) Hertz frequency is maintained within two (2) percent above and two (2) percent below for normal operating conditions and may have excursions to ten (10) percent above or ten (10) percent below under severe operating conditions.
J. KWh Pulse Data. Subject to charge and the capability of metering equipment, the Department will provide a connection to its metering facilities to supply kWh data pulses to customers. Demand interval timing pulses will not be provided to
customers.
K. The Department shall continue to incorporate arts funding into its capital projects constructed within the municipal boundaries of the City, however, the Department shall not be permitted to fund any such program from the Light Fund on any capital
project outside the City limits. 21.49.130 Authority. A. The Department shall have the authority to interpret the provisions of this chapter where necessary to implement and enforce its terms and provisions, provided, however, such interpretation shall be consistent with the intent of the City Council in setting the rates and terms and conditions for the use of the electric service provided under this chapter and shall not expand the scope and authority contained therein. B. Rule-making and Contract Authority. 1. The Department shall have authority to adopt and file as appropriate rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to its performance of the provisions of this chapter and to the operation of the Department's light and power system. The Department may require compliance with such rules, regulations, policies and procedures as a condition for the supply or continued supply of electric service. 2. Upon determining availability or necessity for purchase, or a short-term surplus of nonfirm energy, the Department may enter into contracts with any city or town, public utility district, governmental agency, municipal corporation, mutual association, broker, agent, or with any person, firm, or corporation, or any other member of the general public, outside its service area, terminable on not more than eighteen (18) months' notice, providing for the acquisition, exchange or sale of energy on terms most favorable to the Department under such circumstances and in compliance with state law, including RCW 43.09.210. Such sale or exchange shall be made on a basis representing the value of such energy under existing market conditions. 3. The Department may enter into or amend agreements with the Bonneville Power Administration providing for reimbursements from Bonneville of some or all of the costs of operating energy conservation programs authorized by the City Council. The Department shall determine that such agreements or amendments to such agreements shall not incur any indebtedness or the acceptance of moneys imposing any duties or obligations on the City which are inconsistent with the Department's budget appropriation for such energy conservation programs. The Department shall provide a written notification prior to the execution of such contracts and a copy of such contracts to the appropriate authorizing committee of the City Council. C. Contracts and Authorized Agents. The Department may also enter into contracts of a general nature relating to the utility system. No promise, agreement, or representation of any employee or agent of the Department with reference to furnishing electricity shall be binding on the Department unless it is embodied in writing and signed by a duly authorized agent of the Department in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. D. Authority to Interrupt Service. The Department shall have the authority to restrict the use of loads and/or services during scheduled maintenance outages and during periods of emergency when the Department determines that the continued use of the loads would jeopardize the Department's generation, transmission, or distribution system.
E. Special Service Charges and Interest Charges. The Department may add service charges or may separately bill customers to recover certain administrative, investigative and collection expenses in addition to any civil fine or forfeiture imposed under
Section 21.49.140. These may include but are not limited to dishonored checks; field calls on delinquent accounts; service disconnections and reconnections resulting from City ordinance violations or failure to pay; and field calls, lab tests and
office work involved in detecting, reporting, investigating and correcting cases of current diversion. The Department may also add interest charges on delinquent customer accounts and for other services including, but not limited to, C-bills
F. Recovery of Service Disconnection Costs. The Department shall have the authority to establish and collect service disconnection charges based on cost when such charges are adopted pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Code (Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 3.02 , Ordinance 102228, as amended). If service is disconnected for any violation of the provisions of this chapter, a service disconnection charge shall be added to the account. If service is disconnected at the request of a customer or property owner, a service disconnection charge shall be billed to the customer or property owner making the request, unless the service is disconnected when the purpose is to maintain service entrance equipment or enhance its safety. If service is disconnected for failure to pay bills when due, the service shall not be restored until payment in full has been received by the Department, or satisfactory arrangements have been made for payment of all charges. Reconnection cannot be assured on the same day payment is made. G. Equipment Rental. The Department shall have authority to sell, rent, lease, construct, install, operate, and/or service material, supplies, facilities, appliances, or equipment for the use or conservation of electricity. The Department may also establish and collect charges based on cost, conservation, and/or the use of electricity and enter into related agreements. Any agreements entered into or charges made prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter are ratified and confirmed. 21.49.140 Offenses and penalties. Violation of any provision of this chapter constitutes a civil offense and a violation of any provision of this chapter will subject the violator to a civil fine or forfeiture not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500) for each separate offense in addition to the City's cost of investigating and establishing such violation. Violators of this chapter are also subject to the provisions of RCW Chapters 9 and 9A and RCW Chapter 80.28 and a conviction or judgment under these RCW chapters will not relieve the violator of the payment of a fine and cost imposed under this section of the chapter. 21.49.160 Continuity. No action or proceedings now pending, civil or criminal, and no cause of action heretofore arising or offense heretofore committed under ordinances heretofore enacted shall be affected in any way by the passage of the ordinance codified in this chapter, but any such action or proceedings shall be conducted to final judgment and all such causes of action and offenses shall be prosecuted in the same manner as if this chapter had not been enacted. SMC 21.49.180 Ratification and confirmation. Any act pursuant to the authority and prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter is hereby ratified and confirmed. Section 2. The provisions of this ordinance are declared to be separate and severable. If any one or more of the provisions of this ordinance shall be declared by any court of competent jurisdiction to be contrary to law, then such provision or provisions shall be null and void and severed from the rest of this ordinance, and all other provisions of this ordinance shall remain valid and enforceable. Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty (30) days from and after its approval by the Mayor, but if not approved and returned by the Mayor within ten (10) days after presentation, it shall take effect as provided by Municipal Code Section 1.04.020. Passed by the City Council the _____ day of ____________, 1999, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this _____ day of _________________, 1999. _____________________________________ President _______ of the City Council Approved by me this _____ day of _________________, 1999. ___________________________________________ Mayor Filed by me this _____ day of ____________________, 1999. ___________________________________________ City Clerk November 22, 1999 v. |
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