The city regulates land use and considers locations of existing and proposed utilities and potential utility corridors per requirements under the Growth Management Act.
The city must also plan for providing essential public utilities, such as electrical facilities, in a manner that is consistent with the goals and objectives of its Comprehensive Plan, considering public service obligations of any utilities involved.
Siting major, new infrastructure in a well-established city like Bellevue is complex and requires impactful decision-making. The city recognizes this fact and understands that reliable power supply is important to Bellevue residents, businesses and stakeholders today and will be critical as we plan for the future.
Franchise Agreement and Related Memoranda of Understanding
The 2018 Franchise Agreement and related Memoranda of Understanding guide electrical facilities work and define the city's working relationship with Puget Sound Energy (PSE) as Bellevue's electric and natural gas utility through cooperation, planning, communication, and coordination.
- PSE Electric Franchise Ordinance No. 6424
- PSE Discontinued Poles MOU
- PSE Vegetation Management MOU
- PSE Records of Facilities MOU
- PSE Electrical System Performance Reliability MOU
Annual Electrical Reliability Workshop
Staff from the City of Bellevue and Puget Sound Energy (PSE) provide an update to community members regarding the state of electrical reliability in Bellevue at an annual electrical reliability workshop.
The workshop is open to the public and conducted in a hybrid manner with both in-person and virtual options. In support of the workshop, PSE provides a reliability report to the City of Bellevue.
The 2026 electrical reliability workshop will take place on Thursday, September 24, 2026 (4:00 - 5:30 PM).
The 2025 electrical reliability workshop took place on Thursday, September 18, 2025 (4:00 - 5:30 PM).
Electric Grid Capacity Study
At the end of 2024, following adoption of the Bellevue 2044 Comprehensive Plan, Council requested an analysis of the adequacy of power for Bellevue during the 20-year planning period.
Per Council direction, the city conducted a study of the capacity of the local distribution network in partnership with the City of Redmond. The study helps the community and City organization better understand the electrical grid's capacity in Bellevue and identifies needs and gaps to provide for growth envisioned in the Comprehensive Plan. Key outcomes of the study are a consultant-led assessment of the current and future electrical grid capacity considering Bellevue's future growth and building and vehicle electrification.
The study was completed in Q2 2026 and is available online: Grid Capacity Study's Final Report. The study's findings were shared with the City Council at the meeting on June 23, 2026.