Confirm Carrasco at City Light

When Jorge Carrasco took over steering Seattle City Light four years ago, the utility's wheels were nearly coming off.

A sometimes controversial agent of change, Carrasco steered the utility toward the path of financial stability and through the aftermath of a devastating winter storm in 2006. He deserves the City Council's confirmation of his nomination for another four years to further advance financial improvement and tackle the agency's aging infrastructure.In 2004, power rates had increased 58 percent in two years. Through the 1990s, inattentive and imprudent City Councils opted to keep power rates low by taking on debt. An ill-timed sale of City Light's share in a coal plant left the utility scrambling for high-cost power during the Western energy crisis of 2000-01.

The council hired a consultant who lambasted management practices, including a propensity to home-grow energy experts rather than recruit the best in an increasingly complex industry. A joint mayor-council advisory group plotted a strategy for recovery.

Though the mayor renominated Carrasco's predecessor, he resigned when it became clear the City Council would not reconfirm him.

Now it is Carrasco on the hot seat. Mayor Greg Nickels is sticking with Carrasco, saying he has achieved results in areas where the mayor asked him to focus. Carrasco's work made it possible for the utility to reduce rates while remaining on track to meet its conservative financial goals.

There is criticism of his sometimes-flinty management style — and an employee survey last fall raised questions about worker morale and trust in management.

But change is hard — and changing the culture and financial circumstances of an agency as complicated as City Light is not an easy road.

Carrasco has earned another four years.