Washington’s largest investor-owned utility did not change rates on October 1, 2026. Puget Sound Energy (PSE) raised electric rates on January 1, 2026, under orders from the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC).
This article covers PSE, which serves more than 1.2 million electric customers in eight counties, and notes 2026 changes at three large public utilities. It does not cover Avista or PacifiCorp in detail.
Quick Summary
| Item | Utility | Effective | Residential impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base rates, year 1 | PSE | January 2025 | +$13.08 a month (12%) at 800 kWh |
| Base rates, year 2 | PSE | January 2026 | +$7.67 a month (6.3%) at 800 kWh |
| Power cost and other filings, net | PSE | Jan. 1, 2026 | +$16.84 a month (12.18%) at 800 kWh |
| October 1, 2026 | PSE | n/a | No change found |
What the UTC Approved
On January 15, 2025, the UTC approved a two-year rate plan for PSE:
- 2025: $326.6 million (11.5%). A typical 800 kWh bill rose $13.08 to $122.16.
- 2026: $203.3 million (6.4%). The same bill rose $7.67 to $129.83.
- Return on equity: 9.8% in 2025 and 9.9% in 2026.
- Denied: separate cost trackers, some clean generation expenses, electrification pilots and alternative fuel projects.
The Second January 2026 Change
In December 2025 the UTC approved five more PSE filings, all effective January 1, 2026. Its release lists the effect on a residential customer using 800 kWh:
| Docket | What it covers | Per month | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| UE-250747 | Power costs, including Climate Commitment Act and clean energy compliance | +$28.04 | +20.27% |
| UE-250901 | No-cost allowance revenue returned to customers | −$10.08 | −7.28% |
| UE-250733 | Removing Colstrip coal plant costs | −$3.04 | −2.2% |
| UE-250880 | Bill discount program rates | +$1.74 | +1.26% |
| UE-250930 | Voluntary renewable energy | +$0.18 | +0.13% |
| Net | +$16.84 | +12.18% |
The UTC said PSE’s energy unit costs rose 59% between 2025 and 2026, which drove the power cost filing.
How this relates to the $7.67. The five dockets above are separate from the general rate case that set the $7.67 base rate step. The UTC’s December release does not list that step, so the two appear to add together. We did not find a UTC document giving the combined total, so we do not state one.
Public Utilities
Many Washington households are served by public utilities that the UTC does not regulate. A Washington solar installer’s summary lists these 2026 changes:
- Seattle City Light: about $4 more a month for residential customers.
- Snohomish PUD: a 2.5% residential increase, about $2 to $3 a month.
- Tacoma Power: about $7.09 more a month.
Check your own utility’s rate notice. These are secondary figures.
What This Means for Homeowners With Solar
We did not verify current net metering terms for Washington utilities, and they differ by utility. Ask your utility whether new systems are still credited at the retail rate and whether any cap applies. A higher retail rate raises the value of each kWh you use yourself.
Our solar payback guide shows how the retail rate and the export credit change the math.
What to Check on Your Bill
- Whether your utility is investor-owned (UTC-regulated) or public.
- The basic charge and the per-kWh tiers on your rate schedule.
- Any separate line for power cost or climate program adjustments.
For help sorting the lines on your bill, see our guide to reading your electric bill.
What Happens Next
PSE’s approved two-year plan covered 2025 and 2026. We did not find the status of its next general rate case.
Limitations
The typical bill figures use 800 kWh a month, not the 1,000 kWh used in most of our state articles. We did not confirm the combined effect of the base rate step and the December 2025 filings. Avista and PacifiCorp rates were not researched. Public utility figures come from an installer blog.
Sources
- Washington UTC, “State regulators approve new rates for PSE,” Jan. 15, 2025
- Washington UTC, “State regulators approve multiple orders impacting Puget Sound Energy rates,” Dec. 2025
- Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber, “Puget Sound Energy electric, natural gas rates go up,” Jan. 2, 2026
- Northwest Electric & Solar, “Washington Utility Rate Increases Coming in 2026”
Frequently asked questions
Did Washington electric rates change on October 1, 2026?
We found no approved change on that date for Puget Sound Energy. Its 2026 changes took effect on January 1, 2026.
How much did Puget Sound Energy rates rise in 2026?
Two things changed on January 1, 2026. The rate plan approved in January 2025 set a base rate step of $7.67 a month at 800 kWh. Separately, the commission approved five filings in December 2025 that added a net $16.84 a month, or 12.18%.
Who sets electric rates in Washington?
The Utilities and Transportation Commission regulates investor-owned utilities such as Puget Sound Energy, Avista and PacifiCorp. Public utility districts and city utilities set their own rates.
