Scheduled outage for 8,000 NSTAR customers Fri. night

BOSTON -- The following release was sent out on Friday:

NSTAR to Switch 8,000 Boston Customers Back to Underground Network Tonight

Temporary Power Outage is Required to Complete the Work

(BOSTON – March 16, 2012) As around-the-clock work continues on equipment at NSTAR’s damaged Scotia Street substation in Boston, crews are preparing to switch approximately 8,000 Back Bay customers from a temporary connection to the company’s permanent underground network. The changeover will require a planned power outage tonight.

NSTAR is proactively reaching out to all customers who will be affected by this outage to inform them of the restoration process and minimize disruption. Company representatives are going door-to-door to hotels and businesses in the area, and are notifying residential customers with flyers, outbound calls and media outreach. NSTAR is also coordinating outreach with business and community groups.

NSTAR is working in collaboration with the City of Boston, Boston Police Department, the Boston Transportation Department and the Office of Neighborhood Services on the logistics of the scheduled outage.

Outage time: Overnight beginning at approximately 3am

Estimated Outage duration: Up to 3 hours barring any unforeseen circumstances

Approximate geographic location: Beacon St. to Boylston St., between Kenmore Square and Copley Square