Open house to update public on power upgrades

Date: 11/9/2010

Nov. 10, 2010

By Katelyn Gendron

Assistant Editor

AGAWAM -- The electrical power grids are on their way to becoming more dependable, starting in 2011, thanks to the Greater Springfield Reliability Project.

Northeast Utilities, and Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECO), the agencies responsible for the Greater Springfield Reliability Project, will host a multi-media interactive open house at Agawam High School on Nov. 17 to update the public on the project's progress and to answer concerns land owner's may have over right-of-way issues.

"It's about strengthening the backbone of the transmission line that brings power from where it's produced to New England," Janine Saunders, spokesperson for Northeast Utilities, explained. "This will make a big difference [as] there were vulnerabilities in the area."

The project is part of a larger initiative to upgrade transmission lines and substations in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island in order to prevent power outages.

Saunders explained there will be a number of stations open to attendees, allowing them to explore the project's route through a mapping and video kiosk as well as visual impact tables and other aids.

She noted the goal is to have the Greater Springfield Reliability Project completed by 2013.

Northeast Utilities and WMECO's open house in Agawam will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Another open house will take place at West Springfield Middle School on Nov. 18 from 6 to 8 p.m.