• During July and August, receive three free ENERGY STARŪ compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), an efficient showerhead and faucet aerator while paying your utility bills at City Light or Neighborhood Service Centers. When installed, these efficient items will lower your bills and reduce your carbon footprint. For payment locations, call (206) 684-3800. This complimentary offer is sponsored by City Light, Seattle Public Utilities, Seattle Climate Action Now and the Department of Neighborhoods.
• Purchase ENERGY STARŪ CFLs at discounted prices as part of the Twist & Save program. For a list of participating retailers, visit www.seattle.gov/twistandsave. CFLs use 75 percent less energy than regular incandescent bulbs and last six to 10 times longer. Using CFLs reduces the overall amount of mercury and greenhouse gases released into the environment from coal-burning power plants.

• Recycle your used CFLs. It's illegal to throw them into the trash because they contain trace amounts of mercury. For your convenience, all Home Depot stores now recycle used CFLs for free. You also can bring used CFLs (no tubes, please) to collection stations located in City Light service center lobbies. Collection hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lobby addresses and phone numbers:
  • North Service Center (206) 615-0600 1300 N. 97th Street, Seattle
  • South Service Center (206) 386-4200 3613 4th Ave. South, Seattle
  
  Featured tours
  
  Reduce your personal carbon emissions by taking a vacation close to home. Treat family and friends to a Skagit Tour. Tours operate on select dates through September. Learn more at www.SkagitTours.com or call (206) 684-3030.
  
  
  Learn how folks are using solar energy. Take Washington's Solar Tour on Saturday, October 4, 2008, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants visit solar installations where docents are available to answer questions. For more information call (206) 684-3800, visit www.solarwashington.org/tour, or email info@solarwashington.org.
  
  
  Avoid con artists
  
  Once again, some of our customers have been hit with scams from people trying to get credit card information. The con artists pose as City Light employees calling customers to say that a check hasn't been signed or a bill hasn't been paid. Don't give out credit information! City Light does not call customers to ask for credit card information over the phone. If you receive such a call, take down the caller's name and telephone number. Call (206) 684-3000 and let us know. You also can call the police at (206) 625-5011 to report a scam.
  
  Your energy future
  
  You're invited to come talk to us about City Light's alternative energy choices and ways to plan for the next 20 years of our energy future. Please email questions and comments to dave.clement@seattle.gov. The meetings will be held:
  
  
  Thursday, July 10, 2008 at 7 p.m. Magnuson Park, Building 30 7110 62nd Ave. NE, Seattle
  • Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 7 p.m. Rainier Community Center 4600 38th Ave. S, Seattle
  
  
  We need your help!
  
  Thank you for supporting Project Share. So far this year, your donations have assisted 530 customers faced with financial emergencies and difficulty paying their electric bills. Unfortunately, the need exceeds the funds we have available.
  
  Now would be a great time to add a Project Share donation to your bill payment. None of the money raised is used to pay administrative costs. All contributions directly benefit qualified customers. Your donations are tax deductible.
  
  You can make a contribution online at www.seattle.gov/light/help/share/, or call (206) 684-3000 to request a donation form. Mail donation forms and checks made out to "Project Share" with your bill payments or to: City of Seattle, Treasury Services, PO Box 34017, Seattle, WA 98124-1017.
  
  Changes to online bill payment
  
  We recently switched to a new secure system for making Seattle utilities electronic payments. The look and feel of the payment screen is different but the payment procedures work in the same way. Customers can still pay with VISA or MasterCard credit and debit cards, and with e-checks. Exciting online billing features are coming. By early 2009, you will be able to review your billing and payment histories online and to opt out of receiving paper statements. Questions? Call (206) 684-3000 or email respond.scl@seattle.gov.
  
  To make online payments go to www.seattle.gov/light/accounts/onlinepayment.asp.
  
  Light Reading Survey
  
  Dear Customer,
  
  With every bill, you receive City Light's newsletter, Light Reading. Now is your chance to give us some feedback about it. Please take a moment to fill out the brief online survey.Thank you for taking the time.

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