City Light budget cuts mean fewer preventive tree cuts, & more

| Utilities | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from 3/4/09)
We photographed that scene just a month ago, as Seattle City Light continued a year-plus program of stepped-up tree trimming aimed at reducing weather-related outages, since many are caused by wind-spurred conflicts between tree limbs and power lines. But today, there’s word SCL will be cutting down on tree-cutting because of spending reductions; according to this news release, it’ll also mean longer times for street-light repairs (which already are running weeks behind, according to what we discovered in February) and longer wait times when you call the utility.

Gregory April 1, 2009 (6:28 pm)

I’d like to see SCL put efforts into undergrounding power line in order to permanently get away from weather related outages as well as improving safety and public aesthetics.

a April 1, 2009 (7:05 pm)

City light makes money for the city. One of the few departments, maybe the only one. These services are being taken away along with others from City Light so that there is more money to go towards the tunnel. Make sense? I guess it will be reviewed next time there is a storm. Bad idea, but these nistakes are continually being made by our leaders.

beachwalker April 1, 2009 (8:06 pm)

If City Light is having trouble keeping up with tree trimming then maybe the city should cut back on encouraging the planting of even more trees throughout the neighborhoods. Yes, trees are good. But when City Light can’t do necessary trimming and homeowners are asked to help keep street drains cleared each year, I’d say the city has enough work on its hands.

Note April 1, 2009 (8:45 pm)

Right plant right place. The city has a great program to help home owners and neighborhoods plant trees that will not require the level of pruning that a lot of these older trees do. The city arborist is a great resource for providing people a selection of trees that are both beautiful and provide carbon sinks. We need to plant and maintain trees for future generations. For those of you concerned that it is an extravagance for the city consider that streets with trees have a direct effect to the perception of higher land values and studies have proven that tree lines streets increase the average price people are willing to pay not only for real estate but for retail too.

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