PSE to Rebuild Electric Transmission Lines in Ebey Slough Basin

Business Wire, May 16, 2008

Enhancing Regional Electric Reliability and Local Habitat Protection

BELLEVUE, Wash. -- Puget Sound Energy (PSE) this week began preliminary construction work to replace 2.5 miles of two high-voltage electric transmission lines in Snohomish County's Ebey Slough basin. The $15 million project will replace decades old 115 kilovolt (kV) and 230 kV transmission lines and structures, and help increase the safety and reliability of the regional high-voltage electric transmission system.

Currently, PSE's existing power lines in the basin are supported by wooden H-frame poles, which are not designed for use in the standing tidal water that is now there. Over time, environmental conditions have deteriorated the frames and, in some cases, the anchors and guy wires supporting them have pulled out of the soft, saturated soils.

"Replacing the existing deteriorating wooden structures in Ebey Slough basin with steel poles that can withstand the changing environmental conditions of the basin is a necessary upgrade to the PSE infrastructure," said Sue McLain, senior vice president of Operations at PSE. "Not only will replacing the unstable frames with sturdy poles and stringing new wire enhance the safety and reliability of our region's transmission system, it will also protect the fragile surrounding wetland habitat from potential damage in the future."

"We worked long and hard to keep everyone involved in the process to find the best solution to replace the lines and obtain all of the necessary permits," McLain added. "We thank the community and permitting jurisdictions for their cooperation then and now as we work in a short six-month environmental window to complete the job before the next storm season."

This month's preliminary work has PSE placing erosion and sedimentation control silt fences and silt curtains in work areas to prevent erosion. The company will then install foundations at each end of the project at Fobes Road and near Home Acres Road, and install two conventional pier foundations near Home Acres Road. PSE will use Marsh buggies, lightweight amphibious tracked vehicles designed to have less impact on wetlands than conventional vehicles, to minimize impacts on the surrounding environment.

Beginning the week of June 2, PSE is scheduled to start constructing 11 micropile foundations (unique, deep foundations appropriate for wetland areas). PSE will then:

* Begin verification testing of micropiles, and

* Complete installing micropile foundations near the cross dike and continue working to the south throughout June, July and August.

Beginning in mid- to late-August, PSE is scheduled to:

* Begin work on the approved wetland migration site north of the remnant dike area along Fobes Road and re-route the mouth of Moser Creek. This work is designed to enhance fish habitat and salmon passage in the creek.

In September, PSE is scheduled to:

* Use a sky crane helicopter to install 15 steel poles on the conventional and micropile foundations.

From mid-September through early November, PSE is scheduled to:

* String wire on the newly installed steel poles, and

* Use two smaller helicopters to remove the existing 84 wooden poles and wires.

Construction is scheduled to be complete in November.

The project should have minimal impact on traffic in the area. Work hours will be 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on week days and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends. Flaggers and signs will be used during construction. To ensure public safety, some areas will be periodically closed, including:

* The parking area, cross-dike and main dike off Fobes Road will be periodically closed from June 9 - July 31. The area near the cross dike will also be closed for safety when helicopter or wire stringing work is being done.

* The remnant dike trail, which is off Fobes Road to the north of the cross dike will be closed from May 27- June 9. It will also be closed during parts of August and September when wetland mitigation work is being done.

* Access to the Ebey Slough basin from Skipley Road and the main dike from Home Acres Road will be closed from mid-May to Nov. 1.

Signs will be posted in these areas and road closure updates will be available on a toll-free PSE information line at 877-376-9441. PSE will update the local community with direct mail.

Project information is also available at PSE.com on the Community tab.

About Puget Sound Energy

Washington state's oldest and largest energy utility, with a 6,000-square-mile service area stretching across 11 counties, Puget Sound Energy serves more than 1 million electric customers and 735,000 natural gas customers, primarily in western Washington. PSE, a subsidiary of Puget Energy (NYSE:PSD), meets the energy needs of its growing customer base through incremental, cost-effective energy conservation, low-cost procurement of sustainable energy resources, and far-sighted investment in the energy-delivery infrastructure. PSE employees are dedicated to providing great customer service to deliver energy that is safe, reliable, reasonably priced, and environmentally responsible. For more information, visit www.PSE.com.