New England East-West Solution (NEEWS)

Greater Springfield Reliability Project (GSRP)

Interstate Reliability Project (Interstate)
Project Description
Project Need & Benefits
Community Involvement
Archived Documents
Contact Information

Central Connecticut Reliability Project (Central)

Interstate Reliability Project (Interstate)

CT Siting Council approves
the Connecticut portion of the
Interstate Reliability Project.
View its Decision & Order

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The Interstate Reliability Project is one of four major transmission Projects that are part of the New England East-West Solution (NEEWS). Together, the NEEWS Projects will strengthen the reliability of the power grid in New England - improving its efficiency and eliminating crippling and costly bottlenecks.

The NEEWS Projects are needed to solve existing problems that threaten the transmission system's ability to meet national and regional reliability standards and assure the adequacy and availability of electric power.

The Interstate Reliability Project is designed to address weaknesses in the east/west and west/east transmission of power across Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Providing more direct routes between power sources and eastern Connecticut, and increasing the overall capacity of the transmission system, will mean that access to cleaner, competitively priced power will be routinely possible.

Connecticut Siting Council issues its Decision and Order

On January 2, 2013, the Connecticut Siting Council (CSC) issued its Decision and Order (D&O) approving CL&P's application for the Connecticut portion of the Interstate Reliability Project. View the CSC transmittal letter and D&O. The vote follows a process that included a series of public comment sessions, field reviews and evidentiary hearings on the CL&P application. The Project is designed to comply with mandatory federal and regional system reliability standards.

The Connecticut portion of the Project spans 37 miles in 11 towns, beginning in Lebanon and continuing through Columbia, Coventry, Mansfield, Chaplin, Hampton, Brooklyn, Pomfret, Killingly, and Putnam before ending in Thompson at the Connecticut/Rhode Island border. Pending the respective state siting approvals, the Project route would then continue through portions of National Grid's service territories in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, ending in Millbury, MA. For more information about the Rhode Island and Massachusetts portion of the proposed Project route, click here.

The Connecticut portion of the Project includes the construction of a new 345-kilovolt (kV) overhead line utilizing an existing CL&P right-of-way that is currently occupied by at least one overhead transmission line. As directed by the CSC, the new 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission line will be constructed using primarily H-frame structures. The Project also includes station upgrades in Lebanon and Killingly. See the Connecticut portion of the Project route.

Construction of the Project is anticipated to begin in late 2013 or early 2014, depending on when all the necessary permits are received. The Project is scheduled to be in service in late 2015.

CL&P will be hosting public information sessions later this year about the Projects's construction plans. These sessions will provide an opportunity for residents and businesses to learn more about the construction process and raise specific questions or concerns. More information on the public sessions will be posted to this website when available.

A copy of the CSC's Decision and Order and related Opinion is available below:

• Decision and Order (156KB)
• Opinion (272KB)

Fact Sheet: Interstate Reliability Project

This Project spans three states: Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The Connecticut portion of the Project is in the service territory of Connecticut Light & Power and the Rhode Island and Massachusetts portions of the Project are in the service territory of National Grid. The information on this fact sheet is for the approved Connecticut portion of the Project only. The Rhode Island and Massachusetts siting applications have been filed and decisions are pending.

CL&P -- Connecticut portion only

Communications and Public Outreach

Beginning with the Municipal Consultation and community outreach efforts during the Project proposal stage, Connecticut Light & Power has made a concerted effort to engage town officials, residents, businesses and other stakeholders to inform, answer questions and listen to concerns about the Project.

As work proceeds into and throughout construction, we will continue these outreach efforts. For more information on our community outreach and other public involvement opportunities, please see the Community Involvement page. The Community Involvement page includes information about our Development & Management (D&M) process.

Construction Updates

After construction begins, visit this website for timely updates for construction activities in your area.