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Fire Weather Forecasted 

Due to current weather forecasts calling for strong thunderstorms, localized high winds and low humidities across the Kittitas Valley, Enhanced Powerline Settings (EPS) are expected to remain in place in this area until high-risk conditions improve, currently forecasted for Saturday night.

We’ve also added additional staffing for our first responders and our operations center.

These 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.

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

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