EnergySolutions : Eversource Invests Millions to Strengthen Natural Gas Distribution System in Plainfield Area

Plainfield-to-Franklin resiliency project toensurereliability for customers

BERLIN, Conn. - To further protect and strengthen the natural gas delivery system, Eversource is investing more than $7 million this year in a multi-phase resiliency project in Plainfield and four surrounding communities. In addition to several other company initiatives, the Plainfield-to- Franklin project is another effort to ensure reliable service for Eversource gas customers in that area.

'These resiliency projects will further reduce the likelihood of any outages and further enhance the safety of our system by linking more sections of our distribution system together,' said Bill Akley, President of Gas Operations at Eversource. 'We will be working closely with town officials throughout the project to minimize any traffic disruptions in the community.'

Scheduled for completion in 2019, the project will result in more than eight miles of gas pipeline connecting the natural gas distribution systems in Plainfield and Franklin. This will allow natural gas to flow between the communities, ensuring that gas is available when customers need it. Linking the two communities also offers potential access to natural gas in nearby areas where the clean and efficient fuel has not been an option.

The first phase of the project is underway with the installation of approximately five miles of line from Plainfield south along Route 12, Lily Pond and Geer roads, to Route 201 (East Main Street), just outside the borough of Jewett City in Griswold. In 2018 and 2019, the line will be extended through Jewett City, Lisbon, Sprague and Franklin. This project will also make natural gas service available to residents of Griswold, Lisbon and Canterbury.

Crews are working Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. The first phase is expected to be complete by the end of November. Phase two will begin in April 2018.

Eversource will regularly update community leaders and customers where work is being done to minimize the impact to traffic and coordinate with other roadwork happening in the area. Drivers may experience delays due to alternating, one-way traffic.

Eversource has a similar project happening in Danbury and a new line is also being installed from Wallingford to Middletown.

These resiliency projects are in addition to Eversource's ongoing expansion of its natural gas distribution system and replacement program of its older gas pipelines. For more information on these expansion efforts, visit here.

Eversource (NYSE: ES) transmits and delivers electricity to 1.2 million customers in 149 cities and towns and provides natural gas to 229,000 customers in 72 communities in Connecticut. Recognized as the top U.S. utility for its energy efficiency programs by the sustainability advocacy organization Ceres, Eversource harnesses the commitment of its approximately 8,000 employees across three states to build a single, united company around the mission of safely delivering reliable energy and superior customer service. For more information, please visit our website (www.eversource.com) and follow us on Twitter (@EversourceCT) and Facebook (facebook.com/EversourceCT).

Contacts:
Tricia Modifica
(860) 665-4605
tricia.modifica@eversource.com

Mitch Gross
(860) 665-5221
mitch.gross@eversource.com

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