MOUNTLAKE TERRACE, Wash. — As snow continues to fall throughout Puget Sound, many customers have power again. Some people went without power for days because of the snow and ice impacting power lines.
“And this guy said on Wednesday evening that he lost power that night. And it wasn’t until dinner the next day at like 9 p.m., even still he didn’t have power the next morning,” Boston Barnes of Mountlake Terrace said.
Puget Sound Energy’s director of electric operations, Ryan Murphy, says the extremes in weather continue to impact the power grid.
“The extreme weather really stresses the electrical grid,” Murphy said.
As thousands of people lost power, KIRO 7 was curious if power companies are looking at ways to improve the power grid in Western Washington. Murphy says there has been recent legislation that has jump-started some things, but he also says Puget Sound Energy has a few investments and projects in the works, too.
“And energy supply and the backbone of the electrical system … we are investing in a very critical transmission project in our area. Energize East Side. And it’s a really critical project to invest in now in both electric systems,” Murphy said.
“We have a goal to be beyond net zero by 2045 and that means we are going to be carbon-free. And we are going to go beyond that and go help further sectors to decarbonize,” Murphy said.
Murphy tells KIRO 7 that improvements to the power grid would take time, which is why it’s important to make the investment now.
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“Very critical into bringing on renewable resources in what we call peaking facilities, where we can call on natural gas generation at times when there is a need,” Murphy said.
During the 39th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Mountain Lake Terrace, many were enjoying the Christmas music, even playing in the snow with their kids. Just the sight of power has thrilled many people in Snohomish County. And while people like Garrett Lumens only lost power for a little bit, he believes there is nothing wrong with trying to make improvements to the current grid.
“I know in the Northwest, we have a lot of natural sources and sustainable electricity, which is great. But there is definitely opportunities,” Lumens said.
Murphy says snow and winter weather aren’t the only concerns Puget Sound Energy has. During the heat wave of 2021, the company experienced outages and other issues as well.