Welcome
Welcome
Overview
As part of the solution to improve electric reliability on the island, we’re planning to build the new “missing link” transmission line between the Murden Cove and Winslow substations. This new transmission line is a critical component of PSE’s plan to improve electric service reliability, reducing the frequency and duration of power outages for customers on Bainbridge Island.
It’s PSE's goal to understand community values and interests around the new transmission line, so we launched a community engagement process to gather input. To help reach that goal we’re asking for the community’s feedback on the route segments under consideration.
How to use this website:
- Navigate between sections using the tabs at the top of this page or by scrolling down through the site content.
- Visit each section below to learn about the new "missing link" transmission line and how PSE is involving the community in the routing process.
- Click on the '+' symbol to find more information.
- Jump into the Segment Explorer to review the route segments under consideration and share your feedback.
- Return as often as you wish, but be sure to submit your input by Feb. 12 at 5 p.m.!
- Share this site with others who might be interested and encourage them to share their feedback.
This site is accessible to screen reader devices. If you need further assistance to access the information on this site, or would like materials in a different format, please get in touch with us via email at info@psebainbridge.com or leave a message at 1-888-878-8632.
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Learn about the project
Learn about the project
Electric reliability on Bainbridge Island needs to be improved – two-thirds of the island is served by two substations that don’t have backup transmission. The Winslow and Murden Cove substations are each served by single radial transmission lines, referred to as "taps". If the transmission line serving the substation goes out, then the substation and all customers served by that substation lose power.
As part of PSE's solution to improve reliability on the island, we’re planning to build the new "missing link" transmission line between the Winslow and Murden Cove substations to create a transmission loop. This means each substation will be connected to two transmission lines. If one line goes out, the other line can still feed the substation and provide power to customers.
This new transmission line is a critical component of PSE’s plan to improve electric service reliability, reducing the frequency and duration of power outages for customers on Bainbridge Island. More homes and businesses depend on PSE for reliable power than ever before and PSE’s investment in transmission infrastructure will make Bainbridge Island's electric grid more resilient and reduce the impact of any single outage by focusing on redundancy.
Study area

Bainbridge Island customers experience more frequent and longer outages than the average PSE customer, and nearly half of those outage minutes are due to issues with the transmission system. Some specific challenges to reliability include:
- Trees: Bainbridge transmission lines are heavily exposed to trees, and 64% of outages are caused by trees.
- Radial transmission lines: Nearly two-thirds of Bainbridge customers are at risk of a prolonged outage because their area is served by a substation – either Winslow or Murden Cove substation – fed by a single transmission line with no back-up.
Why do my lights go out so often?

It’s our goal to understand community values and interests around the new transmission line, so we’re engaging the community to gather input. You can get involved by:
- Observing a Community Sounding Board (CSB) meeting and providing public comment.
- Participating in a community workshop.
- Providing feedback via email, phone, or comment form.

Community Sounding Board
We convened the Community Sounding Board to help inform the routing process for the new “missing link” transmission line between the Winslow and Murden Cove substations. The 18-member CSB individually and collectively provides input on routing criteria, route segments and other project related topics identified by PSE during the transmission line routing process. Members were selected from a pool of applicants and represent a variety of geographic, organizational and individual interests on Bainbridge Island from inside and outside the project study area.
The next meeting, CSB Meeting #5, is expected to be held in spring 2021 – subscribe to our e-newsletter to receive important project updates about upcoming CSB meetings. All CSB meetings are open to the public to observe, and there will be a brief opportunity for public comment at each meeting. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, CSB meetings are held virtually while social distancing recommendations are still in place.
- CSB Membership Roster (updated Jan. 12, 2021)
- CSB Meet & Greet - April 27
- CSB Meeting 1 – May 14
- CSB Meeting 2 - May 21
- CSB Meeting 3 - June 8
- CSB Info Session 1 - August 6
- CSB Info Session 2 - September 17
- CSB Meeting 4 - October 12
Route Segment Feedback from the Community Sounding Board
The CSB has provided valuable information that has informed the project so far, including:
- CSB members suggested that the project study area be expanded east to include Ferncliff Avenue Northeast to to allow for additional potential segment opportunities.
- CSB members brought imporant attention to critical helipad operations at Fire Station 21 at the corner of NE New Brooklyn Road and Madison Avenue N. PSE is looking into what this could mean for a transmission line in the area.
For additional details on feedback the CSB has provided on the study area and proposed route segments, check out materials and summaries from previous CSB meetings and info sessions held in 2020.
PSE met with the CSB on Oct. 12, 2020 to gather feedback on PSE’s potential route segments for the new transmission line. PSE received specific suggestions from several CSB members for additional segments to consider:
- Consider following Westerly Lane NE as a shortcut to connect Segments 6 and 3 to avoid Category II wetlands near the Fletcher Bay-High School Road intersection. PSE recently learned from the City of Bainbridge Island that existing city code prohibits new primary utilities from being built through wetlands classified as Category I or Category II.
- If utilizing Segment 11 along State Route 305, consider cutting through Sakai Park to connect to segments along High School Road faster. CSB members noted that this segment could face other challenges.
- Consider reconfiguring a southern portion of the existing Winslow Tap transmission line corridor to allow additional route segments to be considered for the “missing link” transmission line. Winslow Tap is the existing transmission line that connects the Port Madison substation to the Winslow substation and is located along Eagle Harbor Drive NE and New Brooklyn Road NE before reaching Winslow Substation.
PSE committed to reviewing these route segments to determine their feasibility and practicality, and whether to carry them further into the public process. After consideration, PSE determined the suggested route segments did not bring sufficient benefit in reaching the project objective to consider them further.
Community workshops
PSE will host two workshops where community members can provide feedback to inform the routing process. The first workshop held online on Jan. 21, 2021 introduced the route segments under consideration and invited initial community impressions and feedback on these segments. The second workshop will ask community members to provide feedback on route options.
We currently anticipate hosting the second workshop in summer 2021 – subscribe to our e-newsletter to receive important project updates about upcoming feedback opportunities.
PSE Bainbridge online community workshop
Jan. 21
5 - 7:30 p.m.
Agenda
You may email public comments to info@psebainbridge.com or leave a voicemail at 1-888-878-8632.
After Feb. 12, PSE will review feedback shared on route segments to better understand the community’s priorities while developing route options—this is important because routing transmission lines requires PSE to decide on tradeoffs between different elements. The Community Sounding Board will review the route options developed by PSE at their next meeting and share their input. PSE will work to incorporate this feedback where feasible and share the updated route options with the community for feedback at a second workshop in 2021. PSE will make a route decision after engaging with the CSB and gathering feedback from the community.
Building a new transmission line on an island poses unique challenges and there are no route segments that completely avoid community impacts. PSE is committed to engaging the community to better understand and address these challenges. Thank you for sharing your feedback!
The next major opportunity to share your feedback will be at the second community workshop planned for summer 2021. Additionally, all CSB meetings are open to the public to observe, and there will be a brief opportunity for public comment at each meeting. CSB meetings are held virtually while social distancing recommendations are still in place. The meeting access link and agenda will be posted on this website one week prior to the event. You can also share your feedback anytime — email us at info@psebainbridge.com or leave a message at 1-888-878-8632.
Subscribe to our e-newsletter to receive important project updates about upcoming CSB meetings and community workshops.
PSE is investing in transmission infrastructure that will make Bainbridge Island's electric grid more resilient and reduce the impact of any single transmission outage by focusing on redundancy. We'll build the "missing link" transmission line between the Winslow and Murden Cove substations to create a transmission "loop." This means each substation will be connected to two transmission lines so that if one line goes out, the other line can still feed the substation and provide power to customers. This will significantly reduce the frequency and duration of power outages for Bainbridge Island customers.
Bainbridge Island customers experience more frequent and longer outages than the average PSE customer, and nearly half of those outage minutes are due to issues with the transmission system and lack of redundancy. Challenges to reliability include:
- Trees: The combination of high winds, storms and tall trees mean trees are the #1 cause of outages on the island. Bainbridge transmission lines are heavily exposed to trees and 64% of outages are caused by trees.
- Radial transmission lines: Nearly two-thirds of Bainbridge customers are at risk of a prolonged outage. This is because their area is served by a substation – either Winslow or Murden Cove substation – that’s fed by a single transmission line with no back-up.
- Customers served by the Winslow substation have the worst reliability on the island, followed by customers served by the Murden Cove substation.
- Nearly 70 percent of transmission customer minutes of service interruptions were from the Winslow Tap transmission line that feeds the Winslow substation.
- Geography: The geography of an island also poses unique challenges for electric reliability, mainly the lack of neighboring infrastructure to serve as backup.
Electric reliability on Bainbridge Island needs to be improved. PSE’s customers have asked PSE to find solutions that improve reliability, meet this community’s growing energy needs, and align with the community’s values. It’s PSE's goal to understand community values and interests around the new transmission line, so we’re engaging the community to gather input and feedback. To help reach that goal we’re asking for the community’s feedback on the route segments under consideration.
Yes, PSE can install transmission lines underground if the location is feasible. However, it is up to the community to decide whether to invest in it. State regulations require PSE to first consider building overhead transmission lines because of their combination of reliability and affordability, both of which are important to our customers.
When a new line is constructed overhead, project costs are distributed evenly between PSE’s 1.1 million customers. Undergrounding is an option, but under these state regulations underground transmission lines are considered a “local option” and the local community must pay the cost difference between overhead and underground lines. Most communities decide not to invest in undergrounding transmission lines because they have other investment priorities. It is up to the local community to decide whether to invest in an underground line.
For more information, see our transmission undergrounding fact sheet.
Segment Explorer
Explore the route segments
Use this interactive online tool to:
Review the route segments under consideration for the new transmission line
Explore the routing criteria PSE is using to evaluate route segments
Compare route segments using available data and metrics
Submit your feedback on the route segments
We want to hear what you think! Share your feedback by 5 p.m. on Feb. 12.
Have questions or need help?
Connect with us via email at info@psebainbridge.com or leave a message at 1-888-878-8632. If you're unable to use the Segment Explorer to share your feedback, you may also email or leave a voicemail for our team with your thoughts.
Next steps
Next steps
Thank you for visiting this site to learn more about PSE’s effort to improve electric reliability on Bainbridge Island and share your feedback.
- After Feb. 12, PSE will review feedback shared on route segments and begin developing route options.
- The Community Sounding Board will review the route options at their next meeting and share their feedback with PSE.
- PSE will share the refined route options and ask for the community’s feedback at a second workshop in 2021.
- PSE will make a route decision later this year after working with the Community Sound Board and gathering feedback from the community.
- PSE anticipates having the transmission line loop in-service by 2024.
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We want to hear from you!
We welcome your comments and questions!
Connect with us
- Learn more at pse.com/bainbridge
- Subscribe to email updates at psebainbridge.com/connect-with-us
- Email us at info@psebainbridge.com
- Leave a message at 1-888-878-8632
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