Skip to main content

Fire Weather Forecasted 

Due to current weather forecasts, a Red Flag Warning has been issued for Kittitas Valley. As part of PSE’s wildfire safe operations, we will be turning on system settings that are more sensitive to potential hazards. These sensitive settings will be activated Friday morning and will remain in effect as long as elevated wildfire risk conditions persist.

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 eastern and central Washington, air quality across the Kittitas Valley is currently 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.

  

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

Energy Burden Analysis

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) conducts a comprehensive Energy Burden Analysis (EBA) to identify and support customers who struggle with high energy costs relative to their income. This analysis serves as the foundation for understanding customer needs and designing targeted and improved outreach and assistance programs for those who need help most.

The EBA allows PSE to estimate the number of low-income customers, assess their energy burdens, and determine energy assistance needs across our service territory. By analyzing characteristics of energy-burdened customers, we develop targeted outreach strategies and tactics and more effective assistance programs that address energy affordability and energy equity challenges.

How is Low-Income Defined?

The Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA) (RCW 19.405.120) defines "low-income" as the higher of either 80% area median income or 200% federal poverty level, adjusted for household size.

What is Energy Burden?

Energy burden measures the percentage of a household's annual income spent on energy costs, including electricity, natural gas, and other heating fuels like propane, heating oil, and wood. When households spend more than 6% of their annual income on energy expenses, they are considered "energy-burdened" or with “high energy burden.” The above 6% energy burden threshold comes from Commerce's criteria for identifying customers needing assistance.

PSE’s Energy Burden Analysis:

Contact

Questions? Contact PSE at: EnergyBurdenAnalysis@pse.com