Conn. utility submits plan to strengthen systems

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut Light & Power has filed a plan with state regulators to spend $300 million over five years to strengthen its system against storms.

The subsidiary of Northeast Utilities says it's looking to upgrade systems that have performed poorly and also trim trees.

The plan was filed with Connecticut's Public Utilities Regulatory Authority. It's a condition of the agreement between Northeast Utilities and Connecticut for the state's approval of NU's purchase of NStar in Boston.

State energy commissioner Daniel Esty said state regulators will determine if the plan is consistent with Connecticut's goals of providing cheaper, cleaner and more reliable power.

The utility was criticized by numerous elected officials and customers for extensive outages last year following a tropical storm in August and a freak snow storm in late October.