Puget Sound Energy (PSE) is expanding its innovative renewable energy product, Green Direct, to allow participants the ability to purchase 100% of their energy from dedicated, local, renewable energy resources. PSE’s second round offering of the Green Direct project will be a blend of wind and solar.

Green Direct is a voluntary option through which cities and other large organizations commit to purchasing wind and solar for a 10, 15, or 18-year term under a specified rate structure.
The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) approved the second round offering of the PSE’s Green Direct program to allow more customers to take advantage of the offering. The first round, a wind project in Western Washington, was fully subscribed in 2017.
“We can have a bigger impact on the environment when we work in unison,” said Kimberly Harris, president and CEO of Puget Sound Energy. “The power of partnership is the key driver of PSE’s Green Direct program; it’s also essential to the success of PSE’s plan to reduce our carbon footprint by 50% by 2040. We believe in a better energy future for our state. Together, we can make that vision a reality.”
Green Direct’s solar project will be located in south-central Washington. The solar project is expected to come on line in 2021 and customers will begin taking delivery of renewable energy at that time.
Customers in the second round offering include six agencies from the state of Washington, including Labor & Industries, Department of Social and Health Services, Department of Ecology, Washington State Patrol, Department of Health, and Washington Department of Transportation.
“The executive order I signed in January requires these state agencies to take significant steps to reduce greenhouse gases through their operations, and I am pleased to see that we are stepping up to the challenge and reducing emissions across state government,” Gov. Jay Inslee said. “Today, we are doing this is by purchasing clean, renewable energy from projects built right here in Washington state. Not only does this get us closer to meeting our emissions reduction goals, but it will also save us money over the long term.
Through Green Direct, participants like Bellevue College will be able to off-set all of their energy usage with renewable energy.
“Bellevue College is always seeking new ways to make our campus more sustainable and to minimize our carbon footprint,” said Dr. Jerry Weber, president of Bellevue College. “We’re excited to participate in PSE’s innovative Green Direct program which is expected to provide BC with nearly 100% renewable energy for 10 years starting in 2021.”
Municipalities like Cities of Issaquah, Kent and Redmond are also participating.
“The City of Redmond is proud to be included in the second phase of PSE’s Green Direct Program,” stated Redmond Mayor John Marchione. “Moving the City’s operational electricity accounts on to the Green Direct program lowers our electricity costs, aligns with our commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and allows us to take a leadership role in moving the dial towards a more sustainable future for Redmond.”
By signing onto Green Direct, the City of Kent expects to save the City several hundred thousand dollars over the life of the contract.
“The City of Kent is committed to being a good steward of the environment, and the City Council recently approved an agreement with PSE to use Green Direct power,” said Kent Mayor Dana Ralph. “This means the City is doing its part to use renewable energy. We are grateful for the partnership with PSE. The city believes participating in this program is the right thing to do.”
About 95% of Issaquah’s city facilities will receive electricity from renewable energy sources through Green Direct.
“We are thrilled to support the development of innovative renewable resources right here in Washington state,” said Issaquah Mayor Mary Lou Pauly. “This groundbreaking program aligns with our values and environmental stewardship goals – and also helps us meet our own targets for reducing carbon emissions.”
According to the Bellevue Utilities Department, Green Direct will allow it to meet its core mission while supporting renewable energy.
“Green Direct is a win-win,” said Nav Otal, Director of Utilities for City of Bellevue. “We are proud to be doing our part.”
The Port of Bellingham will join the Port of Seattle in participating in Green Direct.
“As the second public port in Washington State to participate in Green Direct, the Port of Bellingham will source 100 percent of its electricity from wind and solar energy production,” said Port of Bellingham Commissioner Michael Shepard. “Our commitment to renewable energy complements our ongoing environmental sustainability efforts.”
Green Direct will also serve PSE’s commercial customers like Walmart, T-Mobile, Providence St. Joseph Health, and Kaiser Permanente.
“Powering our Bellevue HQ with renewable energy through the Green Direct program is an all-around WIN for T-Mobile,” said Mike Sievert, president and COO of T-Mobile. “We’re potentially going to save millions of dollars AND take yet another step toward our commitment to have 100% renewable energy by 2021! It’s a no-brainer.”
Kaiser Permanente’s goal is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2020 and to be carbon positive by 2025.
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