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> Special Sections > Special Features > Consumers gorge on electricity
Consumers gorge on electricity
Greater Springfield Reliability Project feeds power hunger
|  | | | The Greater Springfield Reliability Project is one of four such projects throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island that will help to improve and ensure power flow. Image courtesy of www.transmission-nu.com |
By Katelyn Gendron
Reminder Assistant Editor
What do computers, mp3 players and cell phones have in common? They all require electricity. Such innovations in modern science have thrust the first world into an age of rapidly changing technology that gorges on electricity.
Society's increasing dependency on electricity over the past 30 years has prompted Northeast Utilities System to develop a plan for a series of upgrades to transmission capabilities reinforcing the power grid and ensuring reliable flow of power to prevent blackouts.
Over the past three months, Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECO) has been conducting a series of open houses throughout the Pioneer Valley and Connecticut to educate consumers about the upgrades. Later this month, residents of West Springfield and Ludlow will be the final two communities to participate in their open houses. These meetings will explain the impacts of the multimillion-dollar Greater Springfield Reliability Project: one of four transmission project upgrades throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island that make up the larger New England East-West Solution (NEEWS).
In an interview with Reminder Publications, Frank Poirot, spokesperson for NEEWS, explained that demands on electricity are increasing at an average rate of 1.6 percent each year. He added that the upgrades are necessary "to meet the power demands" as well as meet the "anticipated future growth" on power consumption.
According to information released by Northeast Utilities System, the Greater Springfield Reliability Project will create "a 'beltway' for electricity to move more reliably around the Springfield area. In addition, it provides higher-capacity transfer of power between Connecticut and Massachusetts, and ensures the reliable flow of power from East to West."
The proposed transmission project will run along "WMECO's preferred route," which passes through Agawam, West Springfield, Chicopee, Springfield and Ludlow. An alternative route has also been suggested, which would run through Agawam, Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, Hampden, Wilbraham and Ludlow.
The proposed upgrades include a 23-mile, 345-kilovolt (kV) overhead electric transmission line between WMECO's Ludlow substation and Agawam substation, Poirot explained. The line is currently operating on multiple 115-kV overhead transmission lines.
Certain substations will also be "rebuilt or modified," including a new 115-k-V switching station in Springfield and the remodeling of a substation in Chicopee.
Poirot explained that the company is currently "talking" to various property owners to purchase the use of their land, which will abut the upgrades to the transmission lines.
"Our first and only goal is to negotiate with property owners to purchase the use of their land," he said, adding that they are negotiating easement rights and the ability to run transmission lines over properties.
Poirot noted that residents have the opportunity to find out if the project will abut their property by inputting their address into a route locator available at each open house. The next open house will take place on Aug. 11 from 6 - 8 p.m. at West Springfield Middle School. The final open house will take place on Aug. 21 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Ludlow High School.
"It is critical that this happen because as we increase all of the residences and businesses in this area we will need the increased capacity and without it as our population grows we will be unable to keep up [with the power demand]," Agawam Mayor Susan Dawson said.
She added that this project will also aid the town in its effort to increase residential and economic development.
"Most people will not notice that they have more reliable service because they expect their electricity to be there," West Springfield Mayor Edward Gibson said.
However, Chicopee Mayor Michael Bissonnette said he is unsure of how residents will respond to "larger towers going up in their backyard."
"People need to understand that the increased consumption of electricity has a cost and the cost is bringing more power to your home and there is no other way to do this," he said. "The added safety, reliability and power [provided by the upgrades] is an absolute necessity in these modern times."
Construction is projected to begin in 2010, provided that applications to conduct the upgrades are approved by the Connecticut Siting Council and the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Board this fall. The project will be under review of the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Unit of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs as well as the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities.
Residents seeking more detailed information about the project can view the Municipal Consultation Report (MCR) at their local libraries or at www.NEEWSprojects.com. Copies of the MCR are available at the Agawam Public Library, Chicopee Public Library, East Longmeadow Public Library, West Springfield Public Library, Hubbard Memorial Library in Ludlow, Hampden Public Library, Springfield City Library, Storrs Library in Longmeadow and Wilbraham Public Library. |
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