FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/9/2014
Sawant to Host Public Hearing on Energy Rate Hikes
Invites the Public to Comment on City Light Proposal
Seattle – Councilmember Kshama Sawant will host a public hearing of the Energy Committee regarding the proposed electricity rate increases in the city. According to the City Light Strategic Plan, the estimated average increase is 4.4% for consumers each of the next six years. For working people, this comes on top of the burdens of the economic recession, rising rents, increased gas and food expenses, cuts to basic health and transportation, and other utility rate increases.
Sawant, who serves as Chair of the Council’s Energy Committee, will focus her comments on the inequities of Seattle’s current energy rates. The biggest corporations are enjoying record profits with historically low taxes, yet pay far less for electricity than residential customers. Based on the average energy rates per kilowatt hour (kWh) for users in 2013, a residential customer is charged $67.28 to operate an 800 kWh per year refrigerator for one year; by comparison, a corporation is charged $43.67 to operate the same appliance. Members of the public are urged to come speak on this important issue.
WHO:
Councilmember Kshama Sawant, Chair, Energy Committee
Councilmember Sally J. Clark
Councilmember Sally Bagshaw
Councilmember Mike O’Brien
Public
WHAT:
Public Hearing of the Council Energy Committee to discuss electricity rate increases
WHEN:
Thursday, September 11 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Yesler Community Center – 917 E Yesler Way, Seattle, WA 98122
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