BERLIN, Connecticut - February 1, 2007 - Work continues throughout lower Fairfield County as The Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P) moves forward with its efforts to strengthen the area's electrical system. Some $23 million is being invested by CL&P through a variety of projects that, when completed will improve reliability and reduce the length and frequency of outages in the area. The work is part of the $270 million CL&P will invest this year on distribution system projects across the state.
Equipment upgrades will take place in Westport, which will also benefit from tree trimming along nearly 77 miles of the town's roads. In Darien, work is scheduled at a CL&P substation along with 32 miles of tree trimming. Tree crews will be very busy in Wilton, where trimming is now underway along nearly 90 miles of town roads, in New Canaan with 80 miles of tree trimming and, Redding where 46 miles of trees along town roads will be trimmed.
As previously announced, in Greenwich, new primary lines, additional transformers and other equipment are being installed in six CL&P substations that serve the town. Three circuits that serve downtown Greenwich will be reconfigured and strengthened as will primary overhead lines throughout the town. The company will increase its maintenance, inspection and repair program of the underground electrical system and trees will be trimmed along more than 200 miles of Greenwich roads. About 40 percent of outages in Greenwich in 2006 were due to trees falling on power lines and equipment.
In Stamford, CL&P's South End substation will be upgraded, while circuits that serve the Shippan Point, Weed Hill Road and Newfield Avenue areas will be reconfigured and strengthened. The company will increase its maintenance, inspection and repair program of the underground electrical system and trees will be trimmed along more than 28 miles of roads. Trees will be trimmed along more than 43 miles of roads in Norwalk, while equipment at four CL&P substations as well as primary lines serving the city will be upgraded.
"Our mission is to provide our customers with safe, reliable power," said John M. Burns, director, Southern Division Operations, CL&P. "These equipment upgrades and the tree trimming are vital in order for us to achieve that goal."
Most of the work is scheduled to conclude by December 31, 2007.
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The Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P) has been part of everyday life in Connecticut for more than 100 years, providing safe and reliable electric service to homes, neighborhoods and businesses. With nearly 1.2 million customers in 149 cities and towns, CL&P is an active member in the communities it serves, offering programs in energy conservation, economic development and environmental education. CL&P is part of the Northeast Utilities System (NYSE: NU). For more information, please visit www.cl-p.com.