Energy and Environment Committee Records

Series — Multiple Containers

Identifier: 4679-04

Staff Only

Scope and Contents Note

Records of the committee during Sawant's tenure as chair. One major topic was the appointment of Larry Weis as City Light Superintendent, including discussion of previous work as CEO of Austin Energy. Also discussed was City Light's plan to continue and improve upon sustainability, cost effectiveness, economic development, performance, greater service, and clean, safe and renewable energy. Other City Light programs under discussion included the Integrated Resource Plan, Climate Action Plan, Apprentice Programs, new customer information system, and Race and Social Justice Initiative. Additional topics included smart meters, California Energy Imbalance report, sale of land to University of Washington, sexism within SCL, salmon habitat protection, Energy NW, fossil fuels, affordable housing, hidden cameras, and South Lake Union land use.

Dates

Creation: 2016-2017

Creator

Sawant, Kshama (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Records are open to the public.

Historical Note

Elected in 2013, Kshama Sawant was the first socialist to serve on Seattle City Council since 1877. She was born in Pune, India, and raised in Mumbai, earning a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Mumbai. Later she moved to the U.S. and completed a PhD in economics from North Carolina State University. After moving to Seattle, she taught at Seattle Central Community College, Seattle University, and the University of Washington Tacoma, becoming a U.S. citizen in 2010. She joined Socialist Alternative in 2006 and was active in the Occupy movement. Sawant ran unsuccessfully for the state House of Representatives in 2012 before winning her City Council seat. She served in a citywide position for two years before a charter amendment reorganized the council into districts. Elected in 2015 and 2019 to represent District 3, she narrowly survived a recall attempt in 2021 before choosing not to run again in 2023. She was associated with the successful push for a $15/hour minimum wage and an ordinance banning caste discrimination, along with advocacy for rent control, a millionaire’s tax, and free transit.

Extent

0.8 Cubic Feet (2 boxes)

22 digital files (224 MB)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Records of the committee during Sawant's tenure as chair.

Related Materials

Additional materials from Councilmember Sawant’s tenure found in City social media accounts and City websites are searchable online through ArchiveSocial and Archive-IT.