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Friday, November 20, 2009
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Whatcom County

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Puget Sound Energy electric transmission project


Bellingham area substation and transmission line upgrade




Fall 2009 project updates
  • Puget Sound Energy has completed upgrading Old Town and Bellis substation
  • Work to convert Roeder, Lehigh substations and parts of Bellingham substation will continue through fall 2009
Project overview

PSE is upgrading our existing low voltage 55 kilovolt (kV) substations and transmission lines to our now current standard of 115 kV to increase reliability and meet growing customer demand for power in the Bellingham area. The project entails converting four substations and one commercial customer substation, rebuilding parts of Bellingham substation, and converting all of the transmission lines connecting the substations to 115 kV.

The 2009-2010 multi-million dollar construction effort includes the following transmission line and substation work:

2009 projects
Download full-size map

Project map (426 KB PDF)

  • Bellis substation (4188 Northwest Dr.): Replace transformer, update equipment, modify transmission line terminations and loop the new 115 kV line.
  • Old Town substation (F Street & Roeder Avenue): Replace circuit switches, install PSE communications, update equipment and modify transmission line terminations.
  • Roeder substation (2810 Roeder Ave.): Replace circuit switches, update equipment, modify transmission line terminations.
  • Lehigh substation (near Marine Drive.): Update equipment and modify transmission line terminations.
  • Bellingham substation (2211 Nevada St.): Update equipment and modify transmission line terminations for two transmission lines.

2010 projects
  • Bellingham substation: Remove aged transformers.


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 transmission line?

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


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. It is our aim to complete the work with as little disruption as possible.

Download information

Download these PDF files for more detail on PSE's Bellingham area substation and transmission line upgrade.
Project map (426 KB PDF) 

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