SEATTLE—Mayor Katie Wilson announced January 16 the appointment of Dennis McLerran as the new general manager and chief executive officer of Seattle City Light, replacing Dawn Lindell, who has led the utility since 2024. McLerran, a seasoned environmental attorney, will assume the role on March 4, pending potential City Council confirmation for a permanent position.
The move comes as Seattle City Light, the ninth-publicly owned utility in the United States serving more than 500,000 customers, navigates challenges like climate adaptation and energy affordability. Wilson praised McLerran’s expertise in environmental policy as key to advancing the city’s clean energy goals. Craig Smith, the utility’s current chief customer officer, will serve as interim leader until McLerran’s arrival.
McLerran, 63, brings decades of experience in environmental law and policy. He currently works at Cascadia Law Group, advising municipal clients, ports and Washington’s largest private utility on issues like carbon planning and air quality permitting. From 2010 to 2017, he served as regional administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 10 under President Barack Obama, overseeing environmental regulations in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska…