CL&P's new storm plan

BERLIN, Conn. (WTNH)-- It's something we've seen way too much in the past two years, crews coming to a dark neighborhood to restore power. So, when Northeast Utilities wanted to merge with NStar, Connecticut state regulators asked for something in return.

"That's correct. The merger between Northeast Utilities and NStar called for a resiliency restoration program," said Arthur House, PURA Chairman.

That's a fancy way of saying NU, which owns CL&P, is going to spend an extra $300 million to keep your power from going out in a storm.

"This is additional work on top of what we do every day, 5 years, $300 million worth," said Mitch Gross, CL&P Spokesman.
 
Most of that $300 million is going for something very simple, cutting trees. This is because all over the state we see scenes like trees that have branches intertwined with power lines, that look like they're going to come down on those lines in a good storm.

The rest will be spent on strengthening poles and switching to stronger power lines.

"It's a thicker wire , a coated wire, a thicker gage. It's called tree wire. It's basically designed to withstand an impact," said Gross.

Each year, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority will look at what CL&P is doing to strengthen the system. The Authority's Chairman says the $300 million is worth it.

"Look, everything costs. The point is, people in Connecticut want two things. They want cheaper electricity, and they want the electricity there during a storm. Nothing comes free," said House.

"And what everybody wants to know is what is this going to mean for their bill?" said Gross. "For 2013, thanks to the generation portion of the bill going down, customers should not see any impact on their bill."
 
So your bill stays the same this year. They say it's too early to know if this will drive up your bill in years to come.