New line will help fill critical need in Boston
December 23, 2004
Clearing the way for
a pivotal upgrade to New England’s critical electric
infrastructure, the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board today tentatively approved NSTAR’s request
to build a new, 18-mile underground transmission line.
With construction slated to begin in early 2005, the new
line is scheduled to be in service by summer of 2006,
when the region’s electric demand is expected to be
higher than ever. The draft decision will be voted on by
the full Siting Board on January 13, 2005.
“The tentative approval of this line is great news for
NSTAR customers and electricity users all over New
England,” said Thomas J. May, President, Chairman, and
CEO for NSTAR. “This line will help secure our region’s
future electric supply by adding much-needed capacity to
our existing system,” said May.
When complete, NSTAR’s new 345,000-volt (or 345kV)
transmission line will significantly improve the
reliability of the transmission system that serves
families and businesses in Northeastern Massachusetts
and the Greater Boston area, by allowing NSTAR to tap
into the abundant supply of electricity in Southeastern
Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Currently, several
lower-voltage transmission lines and a single 345kV line
serve the area from the north. The project is a key
component in a series of improvements needed because
customers’ demand for electricity is projected to exceed
available capacity in coming years.
In addition to improving reliability, the project will
also provide economic benefits by reducing the area’s
reliance on local, high cost power-generating plants. A
study by ISO New England recommends adding new power
lines like the new 345kV line, to the regional system to
meet future growth in electricity use and to offset the
potential retirement of local plants. Consumer demand
for electricity has increased by 20 percent over the
past several years. This growth is expected to continue
into 2006 and beyond.
While similar proposed upgrades in neighboring states
have been stalled by procedural issues, NSTAR’s line
received prompt action from the Siting Board, under the
leadership of Chairman Paul G. Afonso. “The Board’s
swift action on this project indicates widespread
agreement that this upgrade is not only necessary, but
essential to the future of Boston and its surrounding
communities,” said CEO Tom May. “We need the additional
capacity and the Board clearly recognizes that,” May
added.
NSTAR transmits and delivers electricity and natural gas
to 1.4 million customers in Eastern and Central
Massachusetts, including over one million electric
customers in 81 communities and nearly 300,000 gas
customers in 51 communities.
