Energize Eastside Update Advancing Forward

The Bellevue City Council has officially adopted an ordinance affirming the denial of appeals regarding Puget Sound Energy's (PSE) Conditional Use Permit for the Energize Eastside project, specifically the Bellevue South Segment. This development comes after a Hearing Examiner approved the project last June, aimed at modernizing a 50-year-old electrical system to enhance capacity from 115 kV to 230 kV. PSE plans to initiate construction on the new Richards Creek transmission substation in 2020, followed by implementing new kV lines in 2021. The Bellevue North Segment will also require permits and must be approved by both the Bellevue City Council and the East Bellevue Community Council. The BDA supports the Energize Eastside project, highlighting its significance in preventing potential rolling blackouts, which studies indicate are becoming more likely each year. The article outlines a clear timeline for recent and upcoming milestones, emphasizing the urgency of this infrastructure upgrade. As the Eastside faces increased energy demand, timely execution of this project is crucial for community reliability. Overall, the article underscores the collaborative efforts between local government and energy providers to address pressing energy needs.