Puget Sound Energy is investing approximately $421 million in service-area infrastructure improvements in 2008, of which about $247 million is earmarked for capacity and reliability upgrades, and about $174 million is allocated to meet growing customer needs.

PSE’s 2008 electric system investments include:

• Building four miles of new 230 kilovolt (kV) transmission line and five miles of new 115 kV transmission line.

• Replacing old power lines with new power lines along 54 miles of PSE’s transmission system.

• Replacing or injecting with silicone (to extend the life of cable) approximately 70 miles of underground cable.

• Replacing 800 poles.

PSE’s 2008 natural gas system investments include:

• Installing approximately 200 miles of new natural gas main, including replacing approximately 20 miles of older, uncoated steel main.

• Annually leak-surveying 12,000 miles of pipeline.

Projects locally include:

• Juanita substation: Doubling the size of the existing substation at an estimated cost of $4.2 million to increase reliability and meet growing demand for power in the Juanita, Totem Lake and Kingsgate areas of Kirkland. Anticipated schedule: begin construction in spring 2009.