Due to several factors creating significant resource challenges and a growing backlog for new service connections at this time, Seattle City Light is estimating timelines for service completion are weeks or even months longer than in the pre-COVID world. To be transparent and set realistic expectations for customers seeking new service connections, City Light has published a temporary update to the Connection Timeline (Table 1.3) in City Light’s “Requirements for Electric Service Connection” (RESC), the primary resource for customers initiating service requests. This document outlines the submittal requirements for each type of service, including estimated timelines for each process step along the way. For new requests, City Light modified Table 1.3 – “Estimated Turnaround Times Per Phase of Application Process, Looped Radial” to align with what customers are currently experiencing. Network connections are covered elsewhere and are not being modified at this time.
While striving to do better and seeking long-term process improvements, City Light expects the modified timelines could be in place throughout 2021. For more detail, see Temporary Revised Timelines for New Service Connections on City Light’s Powerlines blog.