2018 Reports

Climate Change and the Energy Supply System in Seattle

Estiri, Hossein

Seattle is a leader in urban climate action, with a long-standing Climate Action Plan focused on energy efficiency, conservation, and renewable energy. The city’s utility, Seattle City Light, became the first large U.S. electric utility to achieve carbon neutrality and continues to promote low-carbon energy and building efficiency programs. However, Seattle’s hydropower-based energy supply is vulnerable to climate impacts such as reduced snowpack, altered river flows, and increased summer energy demand. In response, the city is developing adaptation strategies including improved climate forecasting, infrastructure upgrades, and long-term resource planning.