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November Wind Storm

Progress continues

Throughout the day crews made steady progress restoring power to customers impacted by Tuesday’s windstorm. 18 transmission lines, 42 distribution circuits and 15 substations were put back on-line today. These important pieces of infrastructure bring back on sometimes thousands of customers at once. Today we’ve seen the most progress with restoration of power to our schools, critical infrastructure and medical facilities. However, we understand that for those still affected it remains incredibly challenging, especially with the cold conditions. For customers needing support, please check with your local government or call 211 to find warming shelters and other resources. King 5 also has this list of resources.

A message to our customers was sent through several channels this afternoon. Please see the letter here.

The high winds and resulting tree damage not only downed the smaller, local power lines, but also damaged transmission lines – the larger lines that bring power into communities. Crews are steadily bringing transmission lines back online; this is an important step before crews can focus on the local distribution system. Please note that there will be temporary spikes in outage numbers as those systems are energized so you may see numbers go up and down on the PSE outage map as the process occurs. In some cases, customers may receive a notification that their power is restored when substations are energized – if you are still without power, please report your outage through the myPSE app or our outage map.

Work will continue around the clock until every customer has power restored. We have the equipment and materials that are needed for the type of outages that can be caused by high winds. As crews finish work in one area, they are assigned to repair damage in another.

 

alert 

Safety first. Never touch or go within 35 feet of downed power lines because they might be energized. Call PSE at 1-888-225-5773 or 911 to report problems.

Report and track power outages online

Acquiring Energy

Procuring new energy supply

To meet the anticipated energy needs of our region in the coming years, PSE must acquire new sources of energy. We have several strategies for acquiring additional energy, approaches that meet your long-term demands for electricity and natural gas while keeping your rates as low as possible.

As a leader in renewable energy, we are actively developing additional renewable resources that protect both your pocketbook and the environment.

Another important strategy is to continue helping homes and businesses save energy. Over the next 20 years, our energy-efficiency programs are expected to help customers save more than 500 megawatts of electricity. Those savings are equivalent to approximately 20 percent of PSE’s current total average annual demand.

We also identify new energy resources by issuing formal requests for proposals (RFP). This open-bidding process helps us purchase power, acquire existing power plants and develop new facilities at the most competitive prices, while striving to ensure that all customers are benefiting from the transition to clean energy.

Current RFPs

Our RFP process

Pursuant to Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission Purchases of Resources rules (WAC 480-107), PSE must file an All-Source Request for Proposals when the Integrated Resource Plan identifies a resource need within the next four years. PSE may also issue targeted and voluntary RFPs on an as-needed basis.

PSE is committed to a procurement process that is accessible and fair for all bidders. PSE encourages all bidders that are able to meet an RFP’s requirements to participate, including bidders representing minority-, women-, disabled- and veteran-owned businesses. PSE encourages bidders interested in partnering with PSE to support supplier diversity through inclusive, competitive procurement processes.

PSE is committed to a culture of ownership, accountability, honesty, integrity and trust. In conducting an RFP, PSE follows its Code of Conduct. This Code of Conduct outlines the honest and ethical manner in which all employees and board of directors at Puget Energy, Inc., Puget Sound Energy, and related subsidiaries are expected to behave, with each employee having a duty to uphold the Code of Conduct.


Contact information

Questions about the All-Source RFP may be sent to AllSourceRFPmailbox@pse.com.
Questions or comments about the Distributed Energy Resources RFP may be sent to DERRFPmailbox@PSE.com.

Reporting information

PSE's Code of Conduct for voluntarily submitting energy data to index developers.