Eversource Energy : New Hampshire Regulators Approve Seacoast Reliability Project

Eversource remains committed to community outreach during construction

MANCHESTER, N.H. (December 10, 2018) - The New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee (SEC) today unanimously approved construction of Eversource's Seacoast Reliability Project (SRP), a 13-mile 115 kV transmission line that will enhance reliability of the electric system and support continued economic growth in the Seacoast region. The committee's approval of the SRP follows a series of public information sessions and evidentiary hearings in Concord and the communities that will host the new transmission line. The project, which will be constructed almost completely within existing rights of way between Madbury and Portsmouth, will address a need for additional transmission capacity that has been identified by the independent regional grid operator.

"The Seacoast Reliability Project is critical to delivering the reliable power our Seacoast communities and businesses depend on, and will support continued economic growth throughout the region," said Eversource NH President Bill Quinlan. "We are grateful to the SEC for its thorough consideration and dedication throughout the review of our project. Just as we worked closely with local officials and property owners throughout the planning process and made significant modifications to the project design based on their input, we will continue to work closely with the host communities during construction. This includes our strong commitment to environmental responsibility with respect to the historic and natural resources that are critical to our state, like Little Bay."

Prior to the SEC process, the Independent System Operator of New England (ISO-NE) identified an urgent need for additional transmission capacity in the Seacoast region - one of the leading areas in New Hampshire and New England for economic growth - and selected the SRP as the preferred solution to meet that need. While this investment will result in direct benefits for New Hampshire communities, residents and businesses - including the creation of local jobs, enhanced reliability for customers and increased property tax payments - the cost of the project will be paid by all electric customers in New England. To construct the project and bolster regional infrastructure, Eversource will invest more than $84 million in the region, with estimated property tax payments for Madbury, Durham, Newington and Portsmouth in the first year following the SRP being placed into service totaling more than $900,000.

In addition to working closely with local officials, residents, businesses, environmental groups and other stakeholders in the host communities throughout construction, Eversource will follow guidelines already established in comprehensive construction agreements and discussions with Portsmouth, Newington, Durham, UNH and Madbury. To ensure that all stakeholders are informed of construction activities, a dedicated project web page will provide regular construction updates. For more information about the Seacoast Reliability Project, visit Eversource.com, call 888-926-5334 or email [e-mail] with any questions.

Eversource (NYSE: ES) is New Hampshire's largest electric utility, serving more than 500,000 homes and businesses in 211 cities and towns, and also supplies water to approximately 9,300 homes and businesses in Hampton, North Hampton and Rye. Eversource is proud to be recognized as the top contributor to United Way in New Hampshire. Recognized as the top U.S. utility for its energy efficiency programs by the sustainability advocacy organization Ceres, Eversource harnesses the commitment of about 8,000 employees across three states to build a single, united company around the mission of safely delivering reliable energy and water with superior customer service. For more information, please visit our website (www.eversource.com) and follow us on Twitter (@eversourceNH) and Facebook (facebook.com/EversourceNH). For more information on our water services, visit www.aquarionwater.com.

CONTACT:
William Hinkle
603-634-2228
[e-mail]

Kaitlyn Woods
603-634-2418
[e-mail]