Bellevue, Wash.-based Puget Sound Energy (PSE), the utility subsidiary of Puget Energy, has presented state regulators with draft requests for proposals (RFPs) for new power supplies and expansion of the company's energy-efficiency programs.
According to the company, the draft RFPs filed with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission are a central part of the company's ongoing effort to ensure reliable, stably priced energy supplies and utility service for its steadily growing customer base in western Washington, where the population is expected to grow by 28% – or about 1 million people – over the next 20 years.
One RFP will ask outside power producers, marketers and power-plant developers to help PSE procure up to an average of 1,340 MW of new electricity resources by 2015. Any type of power-generating fuel or technology is open for consideration, although the utility's integrated resource plan (IRP) excludes coal and nuclear. PSE will consider various contract arrangements, such as investment in existing power plants, ownership of new plants, or long-term power purchases.
The other RFP, which is expected to be released in January, will seek to broaden and expand PSE's aggressive program for helping customers conserve energy.
The draft RFPs and IRP can be viewed at pse.com.
