September 21, 2026
Even before the Washington Supreme Court overturned the state’s energy choice initiative last week, Puget Sound Energy (PSE) had requested massive rate increases for its customers.
This latest rate case comes on the heels of another significant rate increase approved by the Utilities & Transportation Commission in January 2025. According to the Washington State Attorney General’s Office, PSE’s electric rates have nearly doubled between 2020 and 2025.
Tell the UTC to reject PSE's latest rate increase!
By the numbers
In January 2025, the UTC approved significant rate increases for PSE customers. A typical residential electric bill rose from $109.44 in 2024 to $122.03 in 2025 to approximately $129.83 per month in 2026, while a typical natural gas bill rose from $79.81 to $88.27 to approximately $89.86 per month.
Now, PSE wants to increase customers’ bills even more. They’re asking to increase electric bills by:
- 15.15% in 2027
- 3.74% in 2028
- 8.70% in 2029
They want to increase natural gas bills by:
- 14.16% in 2027
- 3.16% in 2028
- 3.64% in 2029
Based on the Attorney General's analysis, average customers could see electric bills increase roughly $606 per year and gas bills increase roughly $264 per year by 2029 compared with current rates.
Washington homeowners and businesses are already struggling with affordability. Increasing energy costs will only make things worse.
Shareholders reap dividends while customers suffer
According to the Attorney General’s Office, PSE paid $62.9 million in dividends to its shareholders in 2025. That was after paying $175.9 million in dividends in 2024.
At the same time, an average of 12% of customers’ electric bills and 11% of their gas bills go to paying investors rather than for utility services. Customers also pay for:
- Increasing executive pay
- Marketing
- Lobbying elected officials
PSE also wants to shift all the risk for volatility in the power market to its customers—at costs beyond the requested rate increases over the next three years.
Tell the Utilities & Transportation Commission to reject PSE’s request
The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission will decide whether to grant PSE’s rate increase request.
They need to hear from you and everyone you know. They’re holding two public hearings:
- In-Person Public Hearing: Sept. 29, 2026, 6 pm
- Virtual Public Hearing: Oct. 7, 2026, 6 pm
- View official notice of public hearings
They will also accept comments on these increases until they make their final decision later this year or early next year.
- Email your comments to: comments@utc.wa.gov
- Comment on PSE’s current open rate case in docket UE-260005 using the UTC's online form
- Call toll-free 1-888-333-WUTC (9882); or
- Write the UTC at: P.O Box 47250, Olympia, WA 98504-725.
Please include:
- Company name (PSE)
- Docket number (UE-260005)
- Your name and address
- Your opposition to the rate increase and why
