BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Energy bills may be going up in the next few years across the Puget Sound.
PSE announced they have submitted a three-year rate change plan to the state’s Utility and Transportation Commission late last week. If approved, the energy company would look to increase their electric bill rates nearly 30% and gas bills nearly 20% by 2029 for residential rate payers.
PSE cites a need to invest over $3 billion in their gas and electric system over the three-year span. About 70% of those dollars will be used to protect electric infrastructure, as the grid has faced increasing strain in recent years.
A 2024 ProPublica and Seattle Times investigation found that data center construction in Central Washington has put a strain on power systems within the state.
The company is also looking to increase investments in local renewable energy sources throughout their coverage range.
A bill currently in the state Senate is looking to place guardrails on data center resource usage as the state sees greater construction of the buildings in rural parts of the state.
The review process for PSE’s rate-change plan takes up to 11 months to execute.
