Skip to main content

March Windstorm Event

We understand how difficult it is to be without power, and we appreciate your patience. Crews continued to make steady progress overnight. Small pockets of customers remain without power in King County, Greenwater, and Skykomish. The plan for today is to continue to assess damage in difficult access areas and restore power as quickly and safely as possible.

Below are updates and current estimated restoration times for hard-hit areas:

  • In Skykomish, crews continue to work on the electric system that feeds the town from the west. An additional helicopter patrol is scheduled for later in the morning. We expect to have power restored to our Skykomish customers by today, March 15 at 8 p.m.
  • In King County, crews continue to repair damage to the system throughout the morning. We still expect most customers will have their power restored by today, March 15 at 8 p.m.
  • In Greenwater, Highway 410 remains closed and the combination of deep snow and many fallen trees is preventing crews and equipment from accessing damaged electric equipment. Based on current conditions, restoration efforts could go into Monday. Estimated times of restoration will be updated in the PSE outage map as we are able to reassess for any improvement to travel and access during today's early daylight.

Estimated restoration times by region are available at pse.com/alerts. As crews are assigned to a repair job, the specific time for that outage will be added to the outage map.

Read more

   
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

Meter Tampering and Diversion

Meter tampering occurs when there is unauthorized removal of a meter, severing of a meter seal, opening of a meter base, altering an entrance cable in any manner, or self-reconnects that are not done by an authorized PSE employee or representative.

Diversion occurs when there is an unauthorized tapping of power and/or gas in a way that circumvents the metering of that power and/or gas allowing an entity to receive energy without paying for it.

Consequences/Safety

Not only is meter tampering illegal, it is also unsafe. It puts everyone, including PSE personnel, in potentially dangerous or deadly situations. Injuries and/or fatalities can occur from potential electrical shocks, sparks, surges, explosions, and resulting fires.

If a non-PSE employee tampers with a meter, disconnects, reconnects, moves, pulls, or de-energizes a PSE meter, or performs electrical and/or gas work without proper permitting, they will be subject to full prosecution – including but not limited to: fines, immediate discontinuation of service/removal of meter, revocation of contractor and/or electrical certification or licensing, and any other repercussions that may apply to the particular situation.

If meter tampering is identified, PSE will disconnect the service(s) and the account holder may be responsible for paying hefty fines and charges in order for the services to be restored. Special inspections may also need to be carried out by local jurisdictions or Labor & Industries (L&I) before the service(s) will be reconnected.

Due to the financial burden or time delay that may result from tampering and/or diversion, we have presented this information to help our customers and contractors avoid further impact.

Reporting

If you need to have repairs or work done on your PSE meter(s) and/or other PSE owned equipment requiring your electric and/or gas meter to be disconnected, reconnected, altered, upgraded, or relocated, please contact our Customer Construction Services department at 1-888-321-7779 (7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday).

Examples of construction projects that may require PSE to be notified:

  • Adding a room and/or remodeling near a PSE meter or service line
  • Demolition of a structure with power and/or gas service
  • Installing or adding a tankless water heater or other gas equipment, an electric car charging station, etc.
  • Removing and installing siding behind a meter.

Before beginning your construction project, refer to this link for complete guidelines, checklists, and electric and gas service handbooks:
https://www.pse.com/construction-services/guides-handbooks

For a list of PSE approved contractors, request a referral for a Recommended Energy Professional (REP) today. Call our Energy Advisors at 1-800-562-1482 or visit pse.com/rep.

If you suspect PSE equipment tampering, contact our Customer Service Department at 1-888-225-5773 (7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday – Friday). Any information provided will be kept confidential.

ask advisor
ASK AN ENERGY ADVISOR

Have questions about PSE's green options, including energy efficiency tips and rebates, contractor referrals, electric cars and renewable energy options? We're here to help.

Call us at 1-800-562-1482, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or contact us below.



info construction
FIND A CONTRACTOR

Request a PSE Recommended Energy Professional (REP) to complete your energy efficient improvement upgrade.