Proactive work to improve electric reliability, storm resiliency, and public safety

MANCHESTER, N.H. (September 10, 2025) – In an effort to enhance electric reliability, Eversource is launching a targeted vegetation management initiative to remove dead, dying, and at-risk Ash trees along several of New Hampshire’s heavily traveled roadways. This proactive work spans multiple communities, including Westmoreland and Londonderry, and focuses on areas where electric lines serve large numbers of homes and businesses.   In Westmoreland, proactive tree removals will take place along Routes 9 and 63, Spofford Road, Partridge Brook Road, River Road, and McAdam Road. In Londonderry, work is scheduled for Friday, September 12, along Mammoth Road, where severely compromised Ash trees pose significant safety risks. Areas of the electric system that have experienced frequent outages during recent historical storms will be targeted as part of this strategic work.

Photo: A dying, hazardous Ash tree scheduled to be removed along Mammoth Rd. in Londonderry.

“Widespread Ash tree mortality caused by invasive species and environmental stressors has created a serious hazard to both electric infrastructure and public safety,” said Eversource Vegetation Management Manager Ian Farley. “This work allows us to proactively address those risks by removing trees before they fail, ahead of the 2026 winter storm season, providing customers more reliable electric service.”

This initiative follows testimony during Eversource’s recent distribution rate review, where the company emphasized the need to continue investing in its vegetation management programs to address the growing number of hazard trees across the state. The work will require specialized equipment, including cranes, and coordination with local police departments to ensure traffic safety during tree removal operations. Specialized equipment such as off-road tracked buckets, brush mowers, and high-reach bucket trucks will be used to safely access and remove hazard trees in difficult terrain. In Londonderry, Northern Tree Service will deploy a Sennebogen unit, a specialized high-reach machine capable of safely removing large, decayed trees in a controlled and safe manner.

Photo: An example of similar work that previously took place in Wakefield, NH, and some of the equipment that will be used.

Initial work is scheduled to begin this week, with tree removals continuing through mid-November. By strengthening the electric system in advance of winter weather, the vegetation management effort will improve storm resiliency. It also enhances public safety by preventing trees from falling into roadways or onto power lines. Eversource is working closely with local businesses and exploring opportunities to replace trees in high-visibility areas, reinforcing its commitment to community collaboration.

A public meeting was held on August 5, 2025, with the town of Westmoreland, one of the communities that will benefit from this work. Eversource will continue to engage with local stakeholders throughout the process to ensure transparency and minimize disruption.

“This is a clear example of how we’re investing in long-term reliability and safety,” added Farley. “We’re grateful for the support of local officials, businesses, and residents as we carry out this important work.”

For details on the company’s comprehensive vegetation management program, please visit Eversource.com. 

Eversource (NYSE: ES), celebrated as a national leader for its corporate citizenship, is recognized as the #1 U.S. utility on TIME’s List of World’s Best Companies for 2024. Eversource is New Hampshire’s largest electric utility, serving nearly 544,000 homes and businesses in 206 cities and towns, and also supplies water to approximately 10,600 homes and businesses in eight communities. Eversource is proud to be recognized as the #1 contributor to United Way in New Hampshire. Eversource harnesses the commitment of more than 10,000 employees across three states to build a single, united company around the mission of safely delivering reliable energy and water with superior customer service. The #1 Energy Efficiency Provider in the Nation, the company is empowering a clean energy future in the Northeast, with nationally recognized energy efficiency solutions and successful programs to integrate new clean energy resources like a first-in-the-nation networked geothermal pilot project, solar, offshore wind, electric vehicles and battery storage, into the electric system. For more information, please visit eversource.com, and follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For more information on our water services, visit aquarionwater.com.

CONTACT:
William Hinkle
603-634-2228
william.hinkle@eversource.com