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Puget Sound Energy substation and transmission line projects

Crystal-Greenwater area electric system improvement projects

Winter 2012-13 project updates

• We expect to construct both phases of the transmission and distribution line upgrade running approximately 4 miles northwest out of Greenwater substation in 2013. Phase one is expected to take place in spring 2013 and phase 2 in summer 2013. It is our goal to complete both phases in advance of storm season.
• In November 2012 we replaced a transmission line switch (electrical equipment mounted on a transmission pole) that gives us the ability to restore power outages more quickly using automation and helps improve the reliability of electric service for our customers in the area.
• Construction on the Greenwater substation was completed in late November 2011.

Project overview

To increase reliability for customers in the Greenwater and Crystal Mountain area, Puget Sound Energy’s long-term plans are to upgrade the existing low-voltage 55 kilovolt (kV) substations and transmission lines to the current standard of 115 kV. The multi-year effort entails converting the voltage of four substations and all of the transmission lines connecting the substations to 115 kV. Additionally, PSE will also be undergrounding roughly five miles of distribution lines that provide power to customers in the Crystal Mountain area.

These projects will increase our customers' electric service reliability by providing better access for repair crews and gaining more protection from tree-related outages. Additionally, the upgraded substations will provide more capacity for current and future customer demand. We will construct the projects in phases.

The multi-year construction effort includes the following projects and estimated timelines:

Download full-size map

Project map

2010 project

Transmission upgrade: Relocated the power poles away from both banks of the White River to avoid potential washout of the existing transmission power line (see project map). (Completed 2010)

2011 projects

Upgrade substation: Rebuilt the existing Greenwater substation by upgrading the existing 5 megavolt ampere (MVA), 55 to 12.5 kV transformer to a 10 MVA, 55 to 12.5 kV transformer, and reconnecting a step-up 12.5 kV to 34 kV transformer to accommodate the new portion of underground distribution line. Rebuilt the high-voltage bus work to accommodate a future conversion to 115 kV. (Completed November 2011)

Vegetation management: Continued tree trimming and removal efforts to minimize tree-related outages. (Ongoing)

2012 projects

Transmission line improvement: Installed a new remote-operated switch on our Greenwater Tap transmission line east of Enumclaw. The switch will help us identify the cause of an outage on the line more quickly to help improve outage restoration times. (Completed November 2012).

Vegetation management: Continued tree trimming and removal efforts to minimize tree-related outages. (Ongoing)

2013-14 projects

Distribution and transmission line upgrade – Phase 1: Rebuild approximately .7 miles of existing overhead transmission and distribution lines along Mountainside Drive between Greenwater substation and Alpine Drive East. Replace existing wood poles with taller wood poles and reconfigure the transmission and distribution lines to increase the separation between them, which will decrease the likelihood of voltage issues due to the transmission line falling into the distribution line. The transmission line will also be upgraded to 115 kV standards. Note: The original scope of this project was to underground the distribution lines along Mountainside Drive but the scope was updated due to difficulties obtaining needed easements and construction issues that nearly doubled the estimated project cost. (Construction expected to take place in spring 2013)

Distribution and transmission line upgrade – Phase 2: Rebuild approximately 3 miles of existing overhead transmission and distribution lines from the intersection of Mountainside Drive and Alpine Drive East northwest along Hancock Timber Road. Like the phase 1 project, we will be replacing existing wood poles with taller wood poles and reconfiguring the transmission and distribution lines to increase the separation between them. This is a new project that has been added to the package of Greenwater-area projects and accelerated. (Construction expected to take place in summer 2013)

Distribution upgrade: Relocate the 34 kV distribution line, located just south of Greenwater where it crosses the White River, to remove it from the flood plain. This will entail a new overhead distribution line crossing of the river. Additionally, we will underground approximately 1.5 miles of distribution line along Highway 410 from the Greenwater substation to a point along Highway 410 south of National Forest Service Road 7295 (see project map). (Construction expected to take place in 2014).

2015-18 projects

Underground distribution line: Underground approximately 3.5 miles of existing 34 kV overhead distribution line along Mine-to-Market Road from Highway 410 to the Crystal Mountain Resort (see project map).

New transmission line: Rebuild 21.7 miles of existing 55 kV transmission line to 115 kV along Highway 410 from Farman Street North/284th Street Southeast to the Greenwater substation, 17525 Greenwater Dr. E, Enumclaw (see project map).

Upgrade substation: Rebuild the existing Clay Creek substation (located at the intersection of 416th Avenue Southwest and Highway 410) to 115 kV.

Upgrade substation: Replace our existing Greenwater substation transformer to 115 kV.

Upgrade substation: Upgrade our existing Krain Corner substation (40801 268th Ave. SE, Enumclaw) to accommodate the new 115 kV transmission line to Greenwater.

Upgrade transmission line: Rebuild one mile of existing 55 kV transmission line to 115 kV from our Krain Corner substation to our Stevenson switch, located at 1035 Stevenson Ave., Enumclaw (see project map).

All project timelines are estimates and may change due to weather events, or funding or permitting issues.

Contact us:

For more information on these projects, email PSETalk@PSE.com or contact Sandy Leek, Municipal Liaison Manager, at 253-381-7313. You may contact us via U.S. mail at:
Attn: Crystal-Greenwater Projects PSE-09S
Puget Sound Energy
PO Box 97034
Bellevue, WA 98009-9942

What is a transmission line?

Transmission lines are key elements in the electrical distribution system. The lines safely transport high voltage electricity from power sources like dams and wind generating facilities to substations in local communities. Transmission normally takes place at voltages of 55 kV and higher.

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.

What is a distribution line?

Distribution lines are critical links in the electrical system moving power from electrical substations through distribution transformers directly to homes or businesses. Unlike transmission lines, distribution lines typically carry less than 55 kV; PSE's distribution lines are typically 12.5 kV. Distribution lines can be installed both above and below ground.

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 the information

Download these PDF files for more detail on PSE's Crystal-Greenwater area electric system improvement projects.