Skip to main content

Fire Weather Forecasted 

Red Flag Warnings have been issued for the western and eastern Cascade slopes for gusty winds and lightning storms. As part of PSE’s wildfire safe operations, we have turned on system settings that are more sensitive to potential hazards on targeted lines in these areas.

Enhanced Powerline Settings are designed to help keep you safe, but they may result in unplanned power outages.

This is NOT a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), where we proactively turn off power in advance of severe weather.

We understand the impact unexpected outages can have on our customers, so we've added additional staffing for our first responders and our operations center.

For more information or to report a power outage, visit PSE’s Outage map.

Due to numerous wildfires in our region, air quality in many areas is within the unhealthy range. Wildfire smoke can seriously affect health, especially for high-risk individuals. To learn more about how to protect yourself and others, please visit the Washington State Department of Health page on staying safe from smoke.

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

Skagit and Whatcom County electric system upgrades

Phase D

  • Lake Samish Park to Bellingham (6 miles)

We expect to begin working on this segment in spring 2026. Check back for project updates or contact us with questions.

Sedro Woolley

Project overview

To increase electric reliability for customers in Skagit and Whatcom counties, we are rebuilding and reconductoring approximately 25 miles of existing transmission and distribution lines between Bellingham and Sedro Woolley.

Currently, the local electric system is prone to power outages due to limited capacity and aging infrastructure. The existing poles and conductors (wires) were built in the early 1960s and need to be replaced. Rebuilding these transmission and distribution lines with new, higher capacity wire and replacing the poles will strengthen the current system and reduce the frequency of outages for our customers in the area.


The overall project work will be completed in phases

All phases of this project include replacing the existing structures with new wood poles and new, higher capacity 115 kV transmission wire. It also includes replacing distribution wire as needed.

Phase A: Complete 2017
Alger to Belfast (4 miles)

Phase B: Complete 2018
Prairie Road near Belfast to the Norlum substation in Sedro Woolley (7.5 miles)

Phase C: Complete 2025
Lake Samish Park to Alger transmission line (6 miles)

Phase D: Upcoming spring 2026
Lake Samish Park to Bellingham (6 miles)

Phase E: TBD
Bellingham substation (0.5 miles)
Norlum substation to Sedro Woolley substation (0.5 miles)


Contact us

We welcome your questions and comments! Please contact:
Bob Parker, Project Manager
1-888-404-8773
MajorProjects@pse.com

Learn more