(The Center Square) – A $1.5 billion settlement with three native tribes allowing Seattle City Light to continue to use hydroelectric dams on the Skagit River to provide electricity for Seattle customers could be costly to ratepayers.
Planned rate hikes disclosed in the agreement between the tribes and the city of Seattle owned utility were calculated at 0.5% per year from 2027 to 2032.
But in an interview, Chris Townsend, director of natural resources and hydro-licensing for Seattle City Light, told The Center Square that rate increase does not factor in the full costs that will need to be passed on to customers…