From a press release-
Seahawks fever is electrifying all of the Northwest. During the buildup to the big game this Sunday, Puget Sound Energy is encouraging neighbors and business owners to take a quick time-out and become involved in a conversation about Energize Eastside this Wednesday and Thursday.
PSE is reaching out to Eastside neighbors to hear their thoughts about plans for the 18-mile electric transmission line upgrade that will stretch between Redmond and Renton. With renewed growth, more jobs and housing, and heavy electricity demand on the Eastside, the project is needed to maintain safe and dependable power in the decades to come.
PSE is holding open houses around the Eastside, which are informal gatherings to allow residents to learn more about the project from experts in various fields, including engineering, urban planning and vegetation management. The first two are this week:
• Open House No. 1: 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center, 16600 NE 80th Street, Redmond.
• Open House No. 2: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Renton Pavilion Center, 233 Burnett Avenue South, Renton.
PSE hosted the first Community Advisory Group (CAG) meeting last week. That group will provide input to PSE as the utility makes the selection for the route for the project. The CAG is made up of homeowners and people from businesses, schools, social service organizations and other key positions in the region.
The second Community Advisory Group meeting is set for Feb. 12 in Renton.
At the end of 2014, PSE will evaluate requirements and constraints, and then select a preferred route that balances the needs of customers, the community and PSE.
The chosen route will move forward for design and permitting in early 2015. Construction on the new transmission lines is planned to begin in 2017, and should be operational in 2018.
A calendar at www.PSE.com/EnergizeEastside has the most up-to-date information.
