October 28, 2026

Puget Sound Energy awarded $40.2 million federal grant to modernize regional transmission grid

PSE has been awarded approximately $40.2 million from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to support Project PULSE — Puget Upgrades for Line Capacity, System Flexibility, and Energy Resilience.  

This competitive grant was issued under the DOE’s Speed to Power Through Accelerated Reconductoring and Advanced Transmission (SPARK) program. Matched by $40.2 million in PSE investments, Project PULSE represents a total investment of approximately $80.4 million to strengthen and modernize the region's electric transmission system. 

As part of this project, PSE estimates an investment of over $21 million in Kitsap County specifically for the scoped reconductoring and upgrade work, underscoring the significant local impact of the SPARK grant funding in strengthening grid capacity and reliability for Kitsap communities. For a full list of projects, click here.

Project PULSE is expected to deliver: 

  • Increased reliability — reduced risk of reliability events and potential load shedding in constrained areas. 
  • Greater flexibility — improved ability to respond to changing grid conditions in real time. 
  • Affordability — smarter use of existing assets to avoid costlier infrastructure buildouts. 
  • Regional resilience — stronger service to homes, businesses, military installations, transportation hubs, and economic centers across Western Washington. 

Receiving the DOE SPARK grant marks an important first step for Project PULSE as PSE and the DOE work to finalize the grant award. PSE will continue working closely with project stakeholders, community members, and local jurisdictions throughout the design and implementation process to bring the project to fruition.

PSE extends its gratitude to the cities, counties, chambers of commerce, and other organizations that provided letters of support for the grant application, helping make this award possible.

For more information about the DOE SPARK grant program, visit the Department of Energy's press release.

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