Seattle City Light says Seattle customers should expect higher electric bills starting in 2027 after the Seattle City Council adopted a rate ordinance that incl
Seattle City Light says Seattle customers should expect higher electric bills starting in 2027 after the Seattle City Council adopted a rate ordinance that includes a 9.5% rate increase in 2027 and 2028.
Seattle City Light said it presented its proposed 2027–2032 Strategic Plan and rate ordinance to the Seattle City Council’s Parks and City Light Committee in June. The utility said the plan is aimed at meeting rising electricity demand, responding to climate impacts and replacing aging infrastructure.
Seattle City Light said three main pressures are driving the rate increases, starting with inflation. The utility said that from 2020 to 2025, prices for electric parts and materials rose by nearly 39%, including utility poles up more than 19%, transformers up 23%, and wire and cable up 93%.
The utility also pointed to the need to replace aging infrastructure, including old underground electrical cables, new transformers, overhauling power generators at its dams, and updating technology. Seattle City Light said the upgrades are intended to improve efficiency and security and help crews respond faster during outages.
A third factor is growing demand for electricity.
Seattle City Light said that over the next 10 years it expects electricity load to grow 13% on average and 19% at winter peak. The utility said meeting that demand, especially on the coldest winter days, will require investments in new resources such as wind, solar and batteries, as well as “firm capacity resources,” which provide on-demand generation, and expanded transmission lines.
For customers, Seattle City Light said a typical residential monthly bill would increase by about $10 in 2027 and another $10 in 2028. Utility Discount Program customers would see their monthly bill go up by about $5, according to the utility.
Seattle City Light said it offers several assistance options for customers who may struggle with higher bills. For income-eligible residential customers, the Utility Discount Program provides a 60% ongoing discount. The utility said Emergency Bill Assistance and Project Share can provide up to $1,670 in credits toward past-due bills.
It also listed the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which can provide up to $1,250 to help with heating costs, and the state Home Energy Assistance Program, which can provide up to $1,000 toward energy costs.
For all customers, Seattle City Light said it offers Budget Billing, which sets a consistent payment amount each billing cycle, and repayment plans that provide up to 60 days to catch up on a past-due balance.
Seattle City Light said it is a municipal utility that does not operate for profit and that its investments are intended to protect reliability and support a cleaner energy future while maintaining equitable access to affordable power.
