- Energize Eastside Upgrades Existing Power Lines
The Energize Eastside project upgrades existing power lines in a utility corridor that has served Eastside communities for more than 80 years. Currently, the project is in the middle of a public Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process that identifies environmental impacts and mitigation associated with the upgrade.
Overview: Keeping the Lights on for Years to Come
The backbone of the Eastside’s electric transmission grid saw its last major upgrade more than 50 years ago in the 1960s. Since then, our population has grown eight-fold. Studies project that Eastside growth and demand for electricity could exceed the grid’s capacity as soon as the winter of 2017-18. Independent analyses affirm that we need to upgrade the system now to avoid having to plan for rolling blackouts in the very near future.
The Energize Eastside project will address this need by building a new substation and upgrading approximately 18 miles of transmission lines from Redmond to Renton. Combined with continued aggressive conservation efforts, Energize Eastside will allow Eastside homes and businesses to keep the lights on for years to come.
Limiting Impact on Neighborhoods and the Environment
Pole height, view impacts and safety are key concerns for residents along the corridor. The Energize Eastside project replaces the existing four poles with one or two poles, and avoids new corridors and sensitive areas wherever possible. New poles will typically be located in the same or similar locations as existing poles, and our design has the poles farther away from existing underground pipelines. Four route options that primarily use the existing corridor are now being analyzed as part of the EIS process, including the preferred route that responded to community feedback in the first phase of the EIS process regarding pole heights and views.
“It’s our responsibility to keep the lights on for our customers, and we’re committed to limiting impact to the community as much as we can. Replacing existing power lines with upgraded lines solves the Eastside’s electrical problem,” said Dan Koch, PSE’s director of Electric Operations.
PSE is looking at several pole design options, which are shown in photo simulations.
Learn More and Stay Informed
PSE will continue to work with Eastside communities as the project and EIS process go forward.
In the meantime, you can review a map of the route options here.