Puget Sound Energy transmission line and substation project
Woodland - St. Clair transmission line and substation project
Fall 2009 project updates
- Puget Sound Energy will survey the transmission corridor in summer 2009 and begin trimming trees along the existing transmission line in fall 2009
- Construction is expected to begin in 2011
Project Overview
PSE is upgrading two substations and 12.5 miles of transmission line to increase the capacity and reliability of the electric system for our customers in Pierce and Thurston counties. The project will provide the framework to upgrade our system from 55 kilovolt (kV) to our current 115 kV standard by upgrading five miles of transmission line between our Woodland substation in Puyallup and our Fern Hill substation in Tacoma, and rebuilding 7.5 miles of existing 115 kV transmission line between Fern Hill and our Gravelly Lake substation in Lakewood. The project also includes rebuilding our Woodland substation and upgrading our Gravelly Lake substation.
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 farms 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.
Committed to keeping you informed
PSE will continue to provide updates to the community. We will notify residents who live 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 Woodland to St. Clair transmission line and substation project .
Project map (2 MB PDF)
Survey notice, May 2009 (30 KB PDF)
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