Puget Sound Energy proposes pole-mounted EV chargers at three Snoqualmie parks

Puget Sound Energy presented locations and a tentative timeline for pole-mounted public electric-vehicle charging stations to the Snoqualmie Parks and Public Works Committee on May 6, 2025. The utility proposed installing two or three sites—at Swinson Park, Jean Hanson Community Park and Centennial Fields Park—with the chargers owned and maintained by PSE.

The presentation matters because it would expand publicly available charging in Snoqualmie and relies on city cooperation for permitting, signage and placement. PSE said it would design and install the chargers and then operate and maintain them.

Jeff Hamlin, public parks and public works director, introduced the item and said the project built on earlier outreach. He said, “I believe we had over 200 respondees” to the city survey used to identify preferred locations. PSE staff showed examples of pole-mounted, dual-head chargers similar to those Seattle City Light has installed; the charging unit would sit about 12 to 15 feet up on a pole with a separate pay station and cord that reaches a vehicle at roughly 4 feet off the ground.

Kate Hartchering, community projects manager at Puget Sound Energy, said PSE narrowed potential sites after community outreach and on-site feasibility checks. Hartchering described the three preferred locations: Swinson Park (near an existing PSE-owned street light and transformer), Jean Hanson Community Park (near an outbuilding and wash station where two parking stalls could be used) and Centennial Fields Park (a soft-surface area with a nearby transformer suitable for a single charger). Carrie McNeal, PSE program manager for public charging, said two of the locations could host dual chargers on one pole while Centennial Fields would likely host a single unit because of sidewalk placement.

PSE staff said the utility would handle final site design, permitting, construction and electrical interconnection. Hartchering said PSE would “provide signage, based on the RCW for EV parking while charging,” and that the city would typically stencill EV markings on the paved stalls so charging spots are visible to drivers. PSE staff said they plan to develop engineering designs in two to three weeks once locations are confirmed; permitting timelines vary by jurisdiction, but construction would take only a few days once permits are issued. PSE said the initial rollout across jurisdictions typically starts with two to three sites.

Committee members asked about downtown coverage and cost limits; PSE said there are already public chargers in the downtown area and that the three parks were the top-ranked sites from outreach and field checks. Committee members also asked whether parking stalls would be marked EV-only while charging; Hartchering confirmed PSE will provide signage and ground stencils consistent with the state RCW. PSE staff said the company would own and maintain the equipment after installation.

After questions, the committee asked staff to attach the presentation to the full council packet and to mention the project to the full council rather than running through the full presentation again. PSE staff said they could return to committee or present to full council when locations and designs are more finalized.

Next steps: PSE will finalize site designs and provide a construction schedule once permits are secured; the committee asked staff to share the presentation with the full council and to follow up on permitting and timeline details.