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Seattle hikes electricity rates

caption: Seattle City Light south service center, 1998. Spokane Street Viaduct at right leads to West Seattle Bridge at upper center.
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Seattle City Light south service center, 1998. Spokane Street Viaduct at right leads to West Seattle Bridge at upper center.


Seattle City Light customers will have to pay more on their energy bills next year.

The City Council approved a 6% rate hike for residential customers, and a 5.6% hike for businesses.

The average renter or homeowner will see their bill go up by about $5 each month, according to Seattle City Light. Hikes will be closer to $2 a month for lower-income customers (who enroll in the utility discount program).

The city evaluates how much it charges residents every couple of years. Rates were kept the same during 2021 due to the pandemic, but did go up by 2% this year, which was seen as a modest increase by city officials.

The new electricity rates still need to be signed into law by the mayor.

The City Council is also considering hikes to the garbage and compost pick-up fees this fall.

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