PSE ‘Powerful Partnerships’ Program Engages Communities on Journey to Cleaner Energy

Submitted by Puget Sound Energy

Puget Sound Energy’s “Powerful Partners” program continues its work in the community to reach the shared goal of cleaner energy, and expands to partner with organizations that support small businesses. 

The Powerful Partners program is committed to working with organizations taking steps to address their own sustainability goals while doing amazing work in their communities. These are nonprofit organizations throughout our service territory working to uplift their communities, many of them focusing on vulnerable residential populations. In addition to these 10 nonprofit recipients, PSE decided to  collaborate with two organizations serving small businesses this year, bringing the benefits of energy efficiency and other clean energy programs to this sector. By reducing energy use and investing in cleaner energy for small businesses, they can continue to be the lifeblood of the community.

“Puget Sound Energy is committed to partnering in new and creative ways to empower our communities. We’re excited to work with these leading organizations to support their energy journey, while also supporting equity within the hometowns we are privileged to serve” said PSE’s Senior Vice President, Chief Customer and Transformation Officer Aaron August. “Small businesses are the keystone to our communities, we’re thrilled to expand our contribution to this sector in support of our collective clean energy future.”

This year, PSE is distributing $150,000 across 12 organizations within its 6,000 square mile service area. Since the inception of the “Powerful Partners” program in 2016, PSE has partnered with 92 organizations across the 10 counties it serves, donating a total of $980,000 to date.

PSE will partner with these organizations to share information with their clients, employees and donors on ways to save energy and money on their bills and decrease their carbon emissions.

One of PSE’s partners this year, Communities in Schools (CIS) Whatcom-Skagit, works each day to help ensure struggling students get back on track as they try to lower the Washington state dropout rate.

“Our organization is profoundly grateful to receive the Powerful Partnership grant from Puget Sound Energy,” said CIS Whatcom-Skagit Executive Director Melinda Herrera. “This gesture not only fuels our commitment to nurturing the dreams of at-risk and economically disadvantaged students but also strengthens our ability to light their path towards success. By integrating this support into our programs, we aim to alleviate energy burdens, broaden access to essential services, and, most importantly, weave a stronger safety net that aligns seamlessly with our mission to empower students to reach their highest aspirations.”

Enterprise for Equity (E4E), one of the first Powerful Partners from the small business support sector, also works to better its community through ensuring those in the South Sound with limited income have access to training, support and financial resources to grow their own small business.

“Enterprise for Equity is grateful for Puget Sound Energy’s partnership,” said E4E Executive Director Beth Henriquez. “Their generous donation allows us to empower BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities, rural entrepreneurs, veterans, and creatives with the resources they need to thrive by building businesses anchored in the triple bottom line principles of people, planet and prosperity. Together, we’re building a future where dreams and economic opportunity flourish in every corner of our region.”

PSE is committed to working together to create a clean energy future for all while setting an aspirational goal to be a Beyond Net Zero Carbon company by 2045. PSE will target reducing its own carbon emissions to net zero and go beyond by helping other sectors to enable carbon reduction across the state of Washington. Partnering with community organizations like these helps PSE engage more people in that mission.

The 2024 partners include the following: