Council Bill Referred Referred from Council to Committee
Seattle Approves Skagit River Hydroelectric Project Relicensing Agreements
In committee review scheduled for March 18, 2026
Votes
What Was Originally Proposed
The Seattle City Council bill originally proposed authorizing the Mayor to execute a Comprehensive Settlement Agreement and related agreements for the relicensing of the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The relicensing is necessary as the City's 1995 FERC license expired on April 30, 2025, and the new license aims to balance Tribal interests, environmental protection, and community needs. The proposed agreements are the result of a seven-year negotiation process involving various stakeholders, including Treaty Tribes, environmental groups, and regulatory bodies.
What The Final Text Does
The Seattle City Council bill authorizes the Mayor to execute a Comprehensive Settlement Agreement and five Off-License Agreements related to the relicensing of the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The agreements aim to settle issues and claims related to the project's operation, including those with the U.S. National Park Service, the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service, the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe, and the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe. The bill also ratifies and confirms certain prior acts taken by the City in the relicensing process, which has been ongoing for over seven years. By approving these agreements, the City seeks to obtain a new long-term license from FERC to continue operating the Skagit Hydroelectric Project.