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Puget Sound Energy substation project
Maxwelton substation and transmission line projects
Winter 2012-13 project updates
- We completed the rebuild of the western transmission line, which runs from the intersection of SR 525 and Coles Road to a point along our existing transmission line near the intersection of SR 525 and Useless Bay Avenue, in November 2010
- Permits were submitted for the eastern transmission line in January 2011 with construction planned for summer 2013
- Substation construction is expected to begin in spring 2013
Project overview
To increase reliability for our customers on South Whidbey Island, Puget Sound Energy plans to construct a new 25 megavolt amperes (MVA) substation, and upgrade and relocate two sections of our existing 115 kilovolt (kV) transmission line to a new location along State Route 525. (See map.) These projects will entail re-routing our existing transmission lines that will provide better access for repair crews and gain more protection from tree-related outages; building a new substation that will serve the south Whidbey Island communities of Langley, Clinton and Freeland, and serve as a back up to our Brooks Hill and Langley substations; and installing distribution lines underground to connect to our Brooks Hill and Langley substations. We will construct the projects in phases.
The multi-year construction effort includes the following projects:
2010 projects
Upgrade western transmission line: We rebuilt and relocated 2 miles of our existing 115 kV transmission line from the intersection of SR 525 and Coles Road to point along our existing transmission line near the intersection of SR 525 and Useless Bay Avenue. (See map.)
2011-2013 projects
Upgrade eastern transmission line: PSE will relocate 1.2 miles of existing 115 kV transmission line from the intersection of SR 525 and Coles Road to point along our existing transmission line near the intersection of SR 525 and Midvale Road. (See map.)
Maxwelton substation (southeast corner of Coles Road and SR 525): PSE will build a new substation and underground distribution lines to connect Brooks Hill and Langley substations. (See map.)
What is a substation?
Substations are critical links in the electricity distribution system, containing utility circuit protection, voltage regulation, and equipment that steps down higher voltage to lower voltage. Before reaching homes and businesses, power is routed through our transmission system to a substation where it is changed to a lower voltage that can be utilized by customers.
Committed to keeping you informed
PSE will continue to provide updates to the community. We will notify residents and businesses near the project area when construction will occur. We aim to complete the work with as little disruption as possible.
Download information
Download these PDF files for more detail on PSE's Maxwelton substation project.
October 2011 meeting
Tree removal plan revision notice, September 2011Tree removal graphicMitigation plan, figure 1 (draft)Mitigation plan, figure 2 (draft)July 2011 meeting
Public meeting invitationPrint adProject construction map Fact sheet, July 2011Transmission line photo simulationsMaxwelton substation landscape plan (draft)Viewpoints of substation from State Route 525 (draft)Viewpoints of substation from State Route 525 (final)