Eversource Energy : Upgrading Electric System in Glastonbury and Portland

Energy company investing $1 million to improve reliability for customers

BERLIN, Conn. -As part of Eversource's commitment to provide reliable power to its customers, the energy company is investing $1 million in electric distribution system upgrades in the towns of Glastonbury and Portland. These enhancement projects include replacing more than 50 utility poles with stronger, thicker ones. "Smart switches" are also being added to the system to help restore power outages more quickly if they do happen. These devices can limit the number of customers affected by an outage and restore power with computer-assisted technology from the energy company's operations center, without having to send a crew to inspect the line and make repairs.

"Our job is to ensure customers have the reliable energy they need to run their businesses and power their lives," said Eversource President of Regional Electric Operations Craig Hallstrom. "By making these strategic investments, like the ones in Portland and Glastonbury, we're building a more robust and resilient electric grid that will serve our customers well into the future."

Work is scheduled in the southern part of Glastonbury on State Route 17 (Main Street) and Hopewell Road. The work in Portland is taking place along State Route 17 (Glastonbury Turnpike); Jobs Pond, Ames Hollow, Rose Hill, Penny Corner and Cox roads; and Bartlett and High streets.

The project is now underway and weather permitting, crews are working from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and occasionally on Friday. Eversource and its contractors are coordinating with town officials about potential traffic disruptions while the work is ongoing. Customers may experience short power interruptions at times during the course of the project so crews can safely perform the work. Any customers affected will be notified by the company in advance. The project is expected to be complete by the end of this year.

Eversource (NYSE: ES), the #1 energy efficiency provider in the nation, transmits and delivers electricity to 1.25 million customers in 149 cities and towns, provides natural gas to 237,000 customers in 74 communities, and supplies water to approximately 198,000 customers in 51 communities across Connecticut. 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 (@EversourceCT) and Facebook (facebook.com/EversourceCT). For more information on our water services, visitwww.aquarionwater.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: Mitch Gross [phone] [e-mail] # # #