To address Eversource’s growing demand for energized electrical transmission and distribution work, Harlan Electric—part of MYR Group—developed a dedicated live-line certification program, equipping its team with the skills needed for high-voltage energized operations
Since launching barehand live-line work for Eversource in 2020, Harlan Electric has successfully completed multiple energized transmission projects, including the NECA award-winning X116/Z119/S188/R187 Structure Replacements project (known as the “X116 project”). This complex undertaking involved replacing 252 structures across four 115kV lines, with most work performed under energized conditions. The project was completed ahead of schedule and with a perfect safety record—zero injuries.
Client Overview
Eversource is the largest energy delivery company in New England, providing service to more than 4 million customers across Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
Problem
Eversource’s service territory includes densely populated urban areas, particularly in New Hampshire, where securing line outages for transmission and distribution work can be challenging. Due to these outage constraints, Eversource New Hampshire has increasingly relied on energized, or “live-line,” work to maintain system reliability—especially for complex transmission rebuilds like the X116 project.
This intricate project involved replacing 227 out of 252 structures under energized conditions.
Delivering Complex Energized Transmission Projects with Safety, Speed, and Environmental Stewardship
Harlan Electric has been a trusted electrical construction partner to Eversource since 2005, consistently delivering high-quality work, upholding exceptional safety standards, and completing challenging projects under tight deadlines.
As Eversource’s operational needs evolved—particularly the growing demand for energized (live line) work—Harlan Electric proactively responded. Over two years, the company developed a rigorous live line certification program in collaboration with ESCI, a respected industry organization. By 2020, Harlan Electric’s first class of lineworkers was certified for energized and barehand live line operations, positioning the company to take on Eversource’s most complex, energized projects.
One such undertaking was the “X116 project,” awarded in 2022. This major transmission rebuild addressed structural concerns with aging wooden laminate poles and involved replacing 252 structures across four transmission lines, all within a single right-of-way. Remarkably, 227 of these structures had to be replaced under energized conditions.
While the project was originally scheduled from June 2022 to February 2023, Harlan Electric aimed for—and achieved—an accelerated completion.
Soon after the award, the project faced an unexpected challenge: the state’s Fish & Game agency introduced new regulations to protect rare, threatened, and endangered species. The X116 project became the first Eversource job required to meet these heightened environmental protections.
Harlan Electric collaborated closely with Eversource to adapt to the new guidelines. Their access and environmental subcontractors implemented robust measures including timber matting for access roads, silt fencing, straw waddles, turtle tunnels, and gated operable fencing at every work pad. Crews worked alongside full-time environmental monitors, conducting visual inspections of all equipment before use to ensure wildlife protection.
To ensure a safe and efficient build, Harlan Electric carefully orchestrated daily crew assignments across live-line, drilling, and access operations. Detailed morning briefings reviewed all procedures and anticipated site-specific hazards—vital for preventing unplanned outages during energized work.
Through strategic planning, skilled execution, and environmental responsibility, Harlan Electric not only delivered the X116 project ahead of schedule, but set a new benchmark for energized transmission rebuilds in environmentally sensitive areas.
Delivering Safe, Energized Transmission Work in a Complex Corridor
In a densely populated area with five transmission circuits running through a primary corridor, careful planning and situational awareness were critical for Harlan Electric’s success. “As one of the main corridors in a population-dense area that’s five circuits wide, we had to be cognizant of what circuits we were working on and how close they were to other circuits,” said Chris Lenahan, District Manager at Harlan Electric, in an interview with Line Contractor magazine. “Our team needed to be especially mindful of what was behind and alongside them when positioning our bucket trucks and other equipment.”
To optimize efficiency and minimize disruption, Harlan Electric implemented a well-coordinated, phased approach. Support crews arrived first to pre-drill pole holes and deliver all necessary materials to each site. This allowed the live-line structure crews to begin work immediately upon arrival each day.
The energized structure replacement process involved setting new poles, backfilling, installing framing, and mounting davit arms. Crews then used conductor line lifters—preferred over hotsticks for their enhanced mobility—to transfer energized conductors onto the new structures. Once the conductor work was complete, optical ground wire (OPGW) was transferred, and the old structures were dismantled. Removal of the old structures was handled by support crews, enabling the live-line teams to move efficiently from one structure to the next.
Safety remained paramount throughout the project. Teams conducted detailed daily job briefings, reviewed work plans, and strictly adhered to barehand live-line procedures. Clear understanding of team roles and responsibilities was essential to maintaining control in the energized environment.
Project Outcomes
Harlan Electric’s meticulous planning and disciplined execution yielded outstanding results:
- Zero unplanned outages
- Zero recordable incidents and no property damage
- Full compliance with new wildlife protection measures
- Project completed two months ahead of schedule, despite a delayed start due to environmental permitting
The project’s success earned Harlan Electric a 2023 NECA Project Excellence Award for overhead transmission. Additionally, the district was recognized with both the NECA Zero Injury Award and Safety Excellence Award, reflecting the team’s commitment to workplace safety across all operations—including the “X116 project.”
A Model of Collaboration and Adaptability
By closely aligning with Eversource New Hampshire’s evolving needs and swiftly adapting to new environmental regulations, Harlan Electric delivered a project that exemplified safety, environmental stewardship, and operational excellence.
“We want to extend our sincere thanks to the project team at Eversource New Hampshire, who gave us a lot of flexibility in terms of the schedule we developed for the four circuits,” Lenahan added. “We appreciate the great communication and coordination they provided and thank them for having confidence in us and giving us a chance to hit it out of the park for them.”
