NU To Build Electric Car Charging Stations

[HartfordTycoon]

This is very cool. It's always good to see our region on the cutting edge.

Hartford Courant

Berlin-based Northeast Utilities announced plans today to build New England's first network of charging stations for electric cars in Connecticut and Massachusetts over the next two years.

Two NU subsidiaries, Connecticut Light & Power Co. and Western Massachusetts Electric Co., have applied to the U.S. Department of Energy for funding to build 575 charging stations over the next two years. The stations would be installed at a "diverse combination of home-based, workplace and publicly-accessible sites" in the two utilities' service territories," the company said in a statement today.

[Lowerdeck]

I think there's probably quite a lot of empty gas stations lying vacant they can probably take over and use as charging stations. Good way to reuse some these sites.

[mikel]

A great way to keep the DOT paving asphalt as much as possible instead of investing in mass transit.

[HartfordTycoon]

People will always have individual transportation needs. Better it's electric than petroleum.

Hartford Courant

CHARGING STATIONS

Northeast Utilities Planning Network Of Electric Car-Charging Stations

By LYNN DOAN {sodEmoji.{sodEmoji.|}} The Hartford Courant

April 8, 2009

Northeast Utilities is seeking federal funding to become the first utility company to build a large-scale regional network of electric car-charging stations.Berlin-based NU, which owns Connecticut Light & Power Co., announced plans Tuesday to install 575 high-voltage car-charging outlets in Connecticut and Massachusetts over the next two years. The outlets would be in private homes, businesses and public areas.

The $1.4 million pilot program relies largely on a $693,750 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, which is expected to decide on the funding in June.

Residents and businesses who want the charging outlets would be responsible for the rest of the cost.

NU's plan would make it the first utility to create an interstate network of charging stations. Washington, Oregon and California have been working on a similar plan, including the transformation of I-5 into the country's first "green highway," along which drivers could stop at a series of stations to charge their electric car batteries or fill up with biodiesel, ethanol, hydrogen or compressed natural gas.

[mikel]

People will always have individual transportation needs. Better it's electric than petroleum.

Hartford Courant

CHARGING STATIONS

Northeast Utilities Planning Network Of Electric Car-Charging Stations

By LYNN DOAN {sodEmoji.{sodEmoji.|}} The Hartford Courant

April 8, 2009

Northeast Utilities is seeking federal funding to become the first utility company to build a large-scale regional network of electric car-charging stations.Berlin-based NU, which owns Connecticut Light & Power Co., announced plans Tuesday to install 575 high-voltage car-charging outlets in Connecticut and Massachusetts over the next two years. The outlets would be in private homes, businesses and public areas.

The $1.4 million pilot program relies largely on a $693,750 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, which is expected to decide on the funding in June.

Residents and businesses who want the charging outlets would be responsible for the rest of the cost.

NU's plan would make it the first utility to create an interstate network of charging stations. Washington, Oregon and California have been working on a similar plan, including the transformation of I-5 into the country's first "green highway," along which drivers could stop at a series of stations to charge their electric car batteries or fill up with biodiesel, ethanol, hydrogen or compressed natural gas.

[Lowerdeck]

^^^ Because they would put a nuclear reactor anywhere near Hartford?

If you lived near I-395 you'd might have to worry. All the power plants seem to be getting thrown out there. One fairly new in Dayville, another going up in Plainfield soon. Then there's actually Millstone in Waterford.

And where did you even get nuke out of all this?

[MichaelQReilly]

You say that until there's a nuclear reactor or waste near you. I'd rather have petroleum than an added need for nuclear power.