EXHIBIT 5.1


                       [LETTERHEAD OF PERKINS COIE LLP]


                                January 2, 2001


Puget Energy, Inc.
411-108th Avenue N.E.
Bellevue, WA  98004-5515

     Re:  Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement No. 333-41157
          on Form S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as counsel to Puget Energy, Inc. (the "Company") in
connection with the preparation of a Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to
Registration Statement No. 333-41157 on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement"),
which is being filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"). The Registration Statement is
being filed for shares of the Company's common stock, $.01 par value, which may
be issued pursuant to the Company's Puget Energy, Inc. Nonemployee Director
Stock Plan (the "Plan"). We have examined the Registration Statement and such
documents and records of the Company and other documents as we have deemed
relevant and necessary for the purpose of this opinion. In giving this opinion,
we are assuming the authenticity of all instruments presented to us as
originals, the conformity with originals of all instruments presented to us as
copies, and the genuineness of all signatures.

     Based on and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that any
shares that may be issued pursuant to the Plan which are original issuance
shares have been duly authorized and that, upon the due execution by the Company
and the registration by its registrar of such shares, the issuance thereof by
the Company in accordance with the terms of each Plan and the receipt of
consideration therefor in accordance with the terms of the Plan, such shares
will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not admit that we are in
the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        /s/ Perkins Coie LLP