Washington’s clean energy transformation requires a dynamic approach. Some major strategies include:

• Investment in more renewable energy resources
• Better energy efficiency practices across all communities
• Improving energy infrastructure

Energy efficiency includes any practice or technology that helps you conserve energy. This does not mean that you have less than you need. Instead, it allows you to use just the right amount for your needs.

Energy saving practices at home

No matter if you rent or own, you can reduce your energy usage – and your bill – by following some simple, easy energy efficient practices such as:

• Turning off lights when you leave a room
• Using a power strip you can turn off when the appliances are not in use
• Weather-stripping windows to reduce air leaks
• Caulking or patching holes in your walls
• Using your dishwasher instead of washing dishes by hand

A little change can make a huge difference!

Learn more about energy efficient practices for your home.

Energy efficiency can also mean voluntarily reducing your energy usage during times when many people are using a lot of energy at the same time, which taxes the energy grid. This practice is called “demand response.” Puget Sound Energy (PSE) offers a program called PSE Flex, which gives you bill credits when you agree to reduce your energy use during these high-use moments.

You can even earn a bonus just for enrolling!

Learn more about PSE Flex.

For PSE, it means taking a holistic approach to updating and improving our infrastructure to create a power grid that's reliable, resilient, smart and flexible. Above all, it also needs to be safe and designed to meet our customers' unique energy needs and expectations.

The process for creating a modernized grid means investing in new equipment, installing new software and communication platforms, testing and deploying new technology and empowering customers with tools to make their own energy choices.

Some of our grid modernization programs, like Distribution Automation and Demand Response, utilize smart technology, while others provide structural improvements and support the overall health of our delivery system.

Learn more about grid modernization.

Transitioning to clean energy is complex. It has its benefits – and its challenges. Those who are confused, concerned, or skeptical are not alone. However, the ultimate objective of this transition is to create a cleaner, healthier state for all – a state where future generations can thrive.

It is important to understand both the unique opportunities and benefits of this transition.

Benefits

Improved air quality

It is no secret that human activity has led to an increase in harmful gases that continue to warm our earth – and contaminate our air. Sometimes you can see the poor air quality, such as smog from excess vehicle pollution. But sometimes poor air quality is invisible until it results in visible health problems.

Clean energy will help reduce the number of toxic contaminants – visible and invisible – in the air we breathe. The fewer contaminants in the air, the cleaner the air is to breathe.

Increased control

You can have more control over your monthly energy use than ever before. For decades, energy has been transactional. You use it, get a bill, pay it and repeat the cycle. That is changing.

With this clean energy transformation, you will have multiple opportunities to take control of your energy production, energy storage and energy consumption – and even get paid to do it.

Learn more about demand response and bill credits.

Opportunities

Cost

Clean energy is more expensive to produce than coal-fueled energy. This means that bill totals are expected to rise. For many communities, increased bill payments would be too much of a burden. We understand this, which is why we have created multiple programs to benefit income-eligible community members. Some of these programs can help make your home more energy efficient, which can also help with cost-management.

Accessibility

For some, learning about the different clean energy technologies, available cost-reduction programs, or energy efficiency practices can feel inaccessible. However, we are committed to reaching out to a variety of communities over the next several years to provide listening, learning and engagement opportunities about the clean energy transition.

Find out more about upcoming events and current community engagements.

Achievability

Can we accomplish our goals? Yes – with your help. A state-wide transition like this needs community involvement. We are all in this TOGETHER . You can get involved in several ways:

• Visit us at one of our events.
• Sign up for PSE Flex – a demand response program that pays you to reduce your energy output when demand is at its highest.
• Engage in energy efficiency practices.

The clean energy transformation happens over decades, not days. The more we invest in the transition to clean energy, the more we can evolve our daily practices and clean energy technologies to become even greener, cleaner and healthier for our world.