News Release
WMECo Reminds Hunters to be Cautious Near Power Lines

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (November 21, 2012) – As Massachusetts enters peak hunting season, Western Mass Electric Company is urging hunters and the public to use caution on utility rights-of-way. In addition to providing a path for New England’s electricity superhighway, transmission rights-of-way are a rich habitat for deer, game birds and other wildlife. Utility crews regularly work on those same rights-of-way, so extra care while hunting near power lines is critical to worker safety.

“With the popularity of hunting on the rise, and space to hunt on the decline, it is especially important for people to be aware of all activities going on around them while outside,” said Bruce J. Bolger, Director of Safety at Northeast Utilities, parent company of WMECo. "We’re happy the public and hunters enjoy our rights-of-way and we want to make sure everyone out there is safe.”

As public use of utility rights-of-way increases, it’s important to note use of all-terrain-vehicles and snowmobiles is not allowed. Because the majority of WMECo’s rights-of-way are on private property, those using these open spaces must be sure to obey existing laws and regulations regarding landowner’s rights. To learn more about permitted and non-permitted use of WMECo’s transmission rights-of-way, go to: http://www.transmission-nu.com/residential/RightsOfWay.asp

Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECo), a Northeast Utilities company (NYSE:NU), transmits and delivers electricity to 210,000 customers in 59 cities and towns. For more information, please visit our website: www.wmeco.com, like us on Facebook (facebook.com/WMECo) and follow us on Twitter @wmeco.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Priscilla Ress
413-787-1055
priscilla.ress@nu.com

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