If you see a helicopter flying over power lines this week in western Massachusetts, it’s likely to be energy company inspectors.
Eversource Energy, which delivers electricity and natural gas to 1.7 million state residents, will conduct aerial surveys on rights-of-way across the region March 8-9 from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.
“The semiannual helicopter inspections of our transmission lines are a crucial and effective part of our commitment to reducing the frequency and duration of power outages,” said Vice President of Massachusetts Field Operations Doug Foley in a statement.
The helicopters will depart from Northampton Airport and use infrared technology to detect potential equipment problems.
Power lines will be checked in the following towns:
Agawam, Amherst, Ashfield, Becket, Belchertown, Blandford, Cheshire, Chicopee, Conway, Dalton, East Longmeadow, Erving, Granby, Granville, Greenfield, Hampden, Hancock, Hinsdale, Lanesborough, Lee, Lenox, Leverett, Longmeadow, Ludlow, Montague, Northfield, Otis, Pelham, Pittsfield, Plainfield, Peru, Russell, Shelburne, Shutesbury, Southwick, Springfield, Warwick, Wendell, Westfield, West Springfield, Wilbraham and Windsor.