City Light's Powerful Neighborhoods program reaches 70,000 customers

Seattle City Light's Powerful Neighborhoods conservation program has reached 70,000 customers in the past four years, saving enough energy to power nearly 2,800 homes and saving customers about $2 million a year.

The program, which started in 2010 with federal stimulus funds, hired contractors to visit customers at their homes to install energy-efficient light bulbs, efficient showerheads and faucet aerators. It focused specifically on reaching customers in low-income areas, senior citizens, and ethnic communities, who historically have not benefitted directly from conservation incentive programs.

In 2012, the program shifted direction to large apartment and condominium buildings.

As of February, 50,000 apartments and condos have been served. Combined with the 20,000 single-family homes served in the first two years of the program, 70,000 City Light customers have directly received energy efficiency upgrades. Another 12,000 homes are anticipated to be served by the end of 2015.

After installing more than half a million compact fluorescent light bulbs, Powerful Neighborhoods is now exclusively using LED bulbs as replacements for incandescent bulbs. The program now also delivers advanced power strips to residents who request them. The strips prevent wasted energy from idle electronic equipment.

For information on the program or to sign your building up for an installation, visit the webpage, send an e-mail, or call 877-311-8752.