Seabeck Reliability
Project updates
We are currently in the design phase of this project. In mid-late 2026, we will begin the easement acquisition process, work with local agencies to secure the required permits, and conduct additional fieldwork along Seabeck Highway and Northwest Holly Road. We anticipate construction on this project may begin in mid-2027, followed by restoration and mitigation work, to be completed in 2028.
Project overview
Puget Sound Energy (PSE) is investing in a comprehensive electric system upgrade to improve reliability for approximately 4,700 customers in the Seabeck area. This project addresses some of the most challenging reliability issues in our service area and prepares our system to meet the community's growing energy needs.
Why this project is needed
PSE continuously monitors electric service reliability across our system to identify areas for improvement. The Seabeck area has significant reliability and capacity challenges that result in an above-average number of outages for customers, including:
Poor reliability: The two electric circuits serving the community (which are the power lines that deliver electricity from substations to customers) experience frequent and long-lasting power outages, with one circuit heavily impacted by tree-related outages due to its long overhead exposure.
Delayed restoration: The local geography makes restoration efforts more challenging, resulting in longer outages for customers.
Capacity overloaded: Both circuits are overloaded and approaching their safe capacity limits, meaning the system cannot reliably serve all customers during periods of high demand. Since the power lines and substations were first built decades ago, the region has experienced population growth and increased electricity demand. During peak usage times, the current system can experience low voltage, which may mean it cannot reliably deliver the full amount of power needed to each home or business, potentially reducing efficiency and damaging equipment.
What we're building
The project plans to install a new underground electric circuit from Chico substation along Seabeck Highway and convert approximately five miles of existing overhead power lines to underground along Northwest Holly Road. While these feeder lines will be moved underground, some overhead utilities will remain, as well as service lines to feed existing customers. This underground construction will significantly improve reliability and dramatically reduce the frequent tree-related outages that the Seabeck community has experienced for years. When outages do occur, fewer customers will be affected due to the additional circuit, improved load distribution, and increased operational flexibility.
Additionally, moving feeder lines underground greatly reduces the risk of wildfires, particularly important during summer months when dry conditions and high winds create elevated fire danger in the area.
This comprehensive upgrade will also spread electrical demand more evenly across our system to avoid overloading the power lines. Once complete, customers will experience significantly fewer and shorter power outages, better power quality with improved voltage, and a robust electric system designed to reliably serve the community's needs for many years to come.
Process and timeline
Throughout the duration of this project, we are committed to keeping affected property owners and the community informed of our progress, opportunities to engage, and potential impacts.
This schedule could change depending on the permitting and construction progress. Check back for project updates or contact us with questions.
