Leading the Charge toward a Hydrogen-Powered Future

Steve Schueneman, Hydrogen Development Manager at Puget Sound Energy (PSE), has built a career defined by technical excellence, leadership, and a deep-rooted commitment to safety and sustainability. With over two decades of experience in utility operations and infrastructure engineering, he has become a key figure in the Pacific Northwest’s evolving energy landscape, helping shape the future of clean fuel while managing the complex demands of energy delivery systems.

Schueneman’s career began in San Diego as a Corrosion Engineer with Corrpro Companies, Inc., where he supported clients such as the U.S. Department of Defense, the City of San Diego, and various water authorities. His work involved integrity testing, field surveys, engineering analysis, and infrastructure consulting, laying the technical foundation for a career that would increasingly shift toward energy systems and public service.

In 2005, he joined Puget Sound Energy, where he served nearly six years as a Consulting Engineer within the Gas System Engineering and Gas System Integrity departments. He specialized in corrosion engineering and served as the lead engineer for PSE’s Transmission Integrity Management Program, focusing on external corrosion direct assessment. This role placed him at the intersection of engineering precision and regulatory compliance—two themes that would follow him throughout his career.

Over time, Schueneman steadily moved into leadership positions. As Supervisor of Gas System Engineering, he managed a team of engineers and designers responsible for planning and delivering critical infrastructure like highpressure gas pipelines and gate stations. His responsibilities grew to include resource planning, departmental budgeting, and employee development—areas where his collaborative leadership style became increasingly evident.

Later, as Supervisor and then Manager of Gas First Response, he took on the challenges of 24/7 emergency operations, overseeing a geographically diverse team of more than 170 personnel. In this capacity, Schueneman managed $14 million in departmental budgets and ensured rapid and compliant responses to gas emergencies while emphasizing safety, workforce development, and customer service.

In 2022, Schueneman was appointed Hydrogen Development Manager, a role that signals the culmination of his technical experience and his alignment with the utility’s clean energy goals. He now leads PSE’s initiatives in hydrogen fuel, overseeing the company’s exploration, coordination, and implementation of hydrogen-related activities. His work involves identifying viable use cases, fostering research and development opportunities, and working closely with internal and external stakeholders to develop the infrastructure and business models needed to bring hydrogen energy to scale.

Schueneman has become an active voice in the regional clean energy dialogue. He has participated in forums like the Green Hydrogen West Coast Summit, contributing to conversations around the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub—a multi-state effort receiving federal support to accelerate green hydrogen deployment. His current focus also includes supporting PSE’s hydrogen blending pilots, which aim to safely incorporate hydrogen into the natural gas distribution system to reduce carbon emissions and prepare for a more sustainable energy mix.

Throughout his career, Schueneman has demonstrated a strong commitment to employee and public safety and to the professional development of his colleagues. His leadership style is characterized by transparency and collaboration, fostering trust and empowering teams to deliver results that align with organizational objectives and customer needs.

As the energy sector continues to evolve, Schueneman’s contributions to hydrogen development and his dedication to sustainable practices highlight his role as a driving force in the Pacific Northwest’s clean energy transformation.