Connecticut takes steps to bolsters storm preparedness

HARTFORD -- The United Illuminating Co. says it's spending about $11 million to protect electrical substation equipment from rising waters and flooding.

The Connecticut utility that serves 325,000 customers in shoreline towns and cities said Tuesday it was installing flood barriers, pumps and backup station service generators, cameras and water-level sensors and sealing substation buildings and conduits.

John Prete, chief operating officer of UI electric operations, said the work was done in response to extreme weather in the past few years including Superstorm Sandy last October and Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011.

The utility says it temporarily de-energized several substations during the storms to protect against flood damage. The new measures are intended to protect UI's equipment from flooding similar to what occurred during Sandy, plus three feet.

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