Puget Sound Energy substation and transmission line projects
Crystal-Greenwater area electric system improvement projects
2022 project updates
- We’re working on engineering and permitting applications to underground a distribution line between the Greenwater substation and Federation Forest State Park along Highway 410. The project will reduce tree-related power outages, improving electric service reliability for our customers.
Project overview
To increase reliability for customers in the Greenwater and Crystal Mountain area, Puget Sound Energy is planning a series of multi-year construction projects aimed at providing better equipment access for maintenance and repair crews, relocating infrastructure away from washout areas, improving system performance during harsh winter weather and gaining more protection from tree-related outages. In addition, PSE has plans to increase system capacity to meet the energy demands of current and future customers.
On-going projects
Vegetation management
Tree trimming and removal efforts to help minimize tree-related outages.
Current projects
Distribution upgrade
To increase reliability for customers in the Greenwater area, PSE is planning an upgrade to the distribution system which may include undergrounding a distribution line between the Greenwater substation and Federation Forest State Park along Highway 410.
Completed projects
Culvert replacement and upgrade
In 2016, PSE contributed to the replacement of three culverts along Hancock Timber Road. These upgraded culverts removed barriers to fish passage, assisting in fish recovery by allowing them to swim upstream to their traditional spawning grounds.
Distribution upgrade
In 2015, PSE relocated a 34 kV distribution line located just south of Greenwater where it crosses the White River in order to remove it from the flood plain. This included constructing a new overhead distribution line crossing of the river.
Distribution and transmission line upgrade
In 2013, PSE rebuilt approximately one mile of existing overhead transmission and distribution lines and replaced existing wood poles with new wood poles along Mountainside Drive between Greenwater substation and Alpine Drive East. Note: The original scope of this project was to underground the distribution lines along Mountainside Drive but the scope was updated due to difficulties obtaining needed easements and construction issues that nearly doubled the estimated project cost.
As part of this upgrade, PSE also rebuilt one span of existing overhead transmission and distribution lines near the Crystal River Ranch Fire Station and replaced a span over a washout area along Hancock Timber Road parallel to the White River.
Transmission line improvement
In 2012, PSE relocated an existing switch on our Greenwater Tap transmission line east of Enumclaw. Relocating the switch increases system reliability by allowing servicemen to easily access the equipment for maintenance and repairs as well as allowing us to identify the cause of an outage on the line more quickly and reduce outage restoration times.
Upgraded substation
In 2011, PSE rebuilt the existing Greenwater substation by adding updated infrastructure and electrical components to increase capacity.
Transmission upgrade
In 2010, PSE relocated the power poles away from both banks of the White River to avoid potential washout of the existing transmission power line.
Committed to keeping you informed
PSE will continue to provide updates to the community. We will notify residents and businesses near the project area when construction will occur. We aim to complete the work with as little disruption as possible.
Contact us
We welcome your questions and comments! Please contact: