Council authorizes City Light, SPU to continue funding work on Lower Duwamish Waterway Superfund

The Seattle City Council on April 15 passed an ordinance authorizing Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) to continue expending funds to participate in environmental investigations and remediation of the Lower Duwamish Waterway Superfund site.

Councilmember Hollingsworth, chair of the Parks, Public Utilities and Technology Committee, summarized the ordinance and said the bill would "authorize Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utilities to continue the cleanup of our Lower Duwamish Waterways superfund site." Councilmember Saka said the work addresses long-standing environmental harms in District 1 and called it "basic good governance," adding, "everyone across our districts deserves to live in a clean, safe, and healthy environment, plain and simple."

The committee report described the ordinance as authorizing continued spending to participate in environmental investigations and remediations. Several councilmembers noted the long history of community advocacy and the technical complexity of allocating responsibility among polluters. The council voted 6-0 in favor; Council members Rink, Saka, Solomon, Hollingsworth, Kettle and Council President Sarah Nelson voted aye.

Speakers and committee members thanked SPU staff and regional partners, and several councilmembers noted the Duwamish River Community Coalition's role in keeping officials accountable during prior phases of the cleanup work. Councilmembers described this action as a next phase in a long remediation process rather than a final or standalone solution.

The ordinance passed and the council chair signed it. The legislation authorizes continued city participation and funding; subsequent technical and interagency steps will determine precise project timelines and cost allocations.