Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Skagit Relicensing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Seattle Council approves Skagit River relicensing settlement, clearing way for 50-year license
Summary
The City Council unanimously authorized the mayor to execute a negotiated settlement for relicensing the Skagit River hydroelectric project, a multi-party agreement described by sponsors as the result of eight years of negotiation and roughly $4 billion in commitments; tribal leaders praised the deal as restorative.
The Seattle City Council voted unanimously April 7 to authorize the mayor to sign a negotiated settlement for relicensing the Skagit River hydroelectric project, moving a long-running process to the next federal review stage.
Council Member Teresa Juarez, sponsor of the measure, said the agreement represents the culmination of an eight-year effort involving three tribes, two state agencies, Skagit County and five environmental groups. “This creates a 50‑year license that produces carbon‑free power for Seattle and includes commitments to address historic harms,” Juarez said during remarks to the full council.
Council Member Strauss, who sponsored legislative intent language earlier in the session, praised tribal leadership and called the settlement “historic,” noting tribes’ stewardship and negotiated off‑license commitments aimed at habitat restoration and long‑term protections.
Scott Skyler of the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe told the council the agreement allows tribal members to “come home” and described the settlement as restorative. “If implemented in good faith, this will make things right for the next 50 years,” Skyler said.
City Light staff briefed the council in committee on the licensing history dating to the 1920s and on the settlement package, which the council record describes as involving off‑licensing agreements and a set of implementation commitments the sponsor characterized as amounting to roughly $4 billion. The approval by the council sends the settlement to the mayor’s office for execution and onward to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for final licensing review and additional public comment.
The council recorded a roll‑call vote with seven members in favor and none opposed. Council members said they expect continued engagement with tribal partners and federal regulators during the licensing process.
The council clerk recorded the passage and the chair instructed the clerk to affix signatures to the legislation before transmission to the mayor.
