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 the output of four average-sized natural gas-fired power plants.
We also identify new energy resources by issuing formal requests for proposals (RFP) every other year. This open-bidding process helps us purchase power, acquire existing power plants and develop new facilities at the most competitive prices.
Our RFP process
Pursuant to Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission rules (WAC 480-107), PSE files a Request for Proposals for All Generation Sources (all-source RFP) and a Request for Proposals for Electric and Gas Demand Side Resources (energy-efficiency RFP) following the biannual updating of PSE's Integrated Resource Plan.
PSE's most recent Integrated Resource Plan was filed in May 2011. We filed an RFP for All Generation Sources on Oct. 17, 2011, and a separate Demand Side Capacity Reduction RFP that was finalized on Jan. 3, 2012.
View the 2011 RFP for All Generation Sources
View the schedule (Revised Oct. 17, 2011)
The following schedule is subject to adjustment based on UTC review and the pace of PSE's evaluation process. Any updates to the schedule will be posted here.
| August 1, 2011 |
Draft All Source RFP filed with UTC |
| August 16, 2011 |
PSE hosted a proposal conference |
| September 30, 2011 |
Public comments period closed |
| October 13, 2011 |
UTC approved the All Source RFP |
| October 17, 2011 |
Final All Source RFP released |
| October 24, 2011 |
Mutual Confidentiality Agreements due to PSE |
| November 1, 2011 |
Offers due to PSE |
| Q1 2012 |
Final short list selected, respondents notified |
| To follow |
Post-proposal negotiations |
View the RFP (Revised Oct. 17, 2011)
View the proposal conference slides and FAQs (Revised Sept. 16, 2011)
View the 2011 RFP for Demand Side Capacity Reduction (Demand Response)
Contact information
Questions or comments regarding the Demand Side Capacity Reduction RFP may be sent to Kimberly.Saganski@pse.com. Questions or comments regarding the All Generation Sources RFP may be sent to Sheri.Maynard@pse.com. If you are not on our e-mail distribution list but would like to be, please e-mail your contact information to Sheri.Maynard@pse.com.