Press Release: 8/11/2025
What They're Saying: Leaders applaud Eversource smart meter rolout in Springfield
AUG 8, 2025
SMART METERS
Momentum builds after ceremonial launch at the Basketball Hall of Fame
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (August 8, 2025) – Community and business leaders voiced strong support for Eversource’s smart meter rollout, praising the initiative as a significant step forward in continued efforts to build a more modern, resilient and affordable energy future in Massachusetts. The ceremonial installation at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame marked the official start of a multi-year initiative to deliver advanced meter technology to more than 1.5 million electric customers across the state.
Fittingly held in the ‘City of Firsts,’ the launch brought together stakeholders from across the state to celebrate the beginning of installations in Western Massachusetts. The message was clear: smart meters are more than a technology upgrade, they’re a foundation for a more responsive, efficient, and customer-focused energy system.
Massachusetts State Representative Brian Ashe, Itron Vice President Jim Fisher, Basketball Hall of Fame Vice President of Marketing Paul Dionne, Eversource Vice President of Customer Experience and Energy Strategy Penni Conner, and Eversource Director of Metering and Smart Meter Operations Luis Pizano stand in front of the newly installed smart meter at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield
Speakers emphasized how the new technology will enhance reliability, improve outage response, and give customers more control over their energy use. The event also highlighted collaboration between industry partners and local institutions, underscoring the region’s leadership in energy innovation.
“Just as basketball inspires teamwork and leadership, this smart meter initiative empowers our community to make informed, responsible choices about energy use,” said Paul Dionne, Vice President of Marketing at the Basketball Hall of Fame. “Together with Eversource, we’re honoring the past while building a smarter, more resilient future for all.”
Smart meters are key to Eversource’s grid modernization strategy. The technology enables real-time communication between the meter and the utility, allowing for faster outage detection, more accurate billing, and also empowers customers to track their energy usage in near real-time.
“We’re really excited about the smart meter initiative from Eversource,” said Ed Garibian, CEO of Springfield-based tech company LLumin. “I can now get better insights into my energy usage and lower my costs, and if there is an outage, the length of that outage can be reduced. That’s a huge benefit to all of us,” said Garibian. “As a technologist, as a consumer, and as a resident, I’m in. I’m looking forward to getting my smart meter installed.”
Jim Fisher, Vice President at Itron, a global smart infrastructure company supporting the project, emphasized the technology’s proven track record. “Itron works with utilities and cities around the globe, helping them manage energy and water with intelligent-type infrastructure systems. We’ve seen great adoption of this technology around the world, in North America, and now in Springfield,” he said. “These systems are working securely and safely and bringing benefits to the end customers.”
Eversource’s smart meter network went live on July 21 following more than a year of planning and testing in collaboration with local partners. The energy company’s smart meter deployment team is now focused on building momentum.
“In February 2024, we set a goal to have our smart meter technology systems live and online on July 21, 2025. Sure enough, this team was able to hit it right on schedule,” said Luis Pizano, Director of Metering and Smart Meter Operations. “That milestone was critical to begin installations, and now we’re steadily ramping up, with plans to exchange up to 40,000 meters per month by fall.”
Pizano’s sentiment was echoed by Massachusetts State Representative Brian Ashe, who also joined the event, calling it a significant step forward for the region. “As legislators, whether you’re a representative or a senator, the job really is to be an advocate for your district, an ambassador for the district that you serve, the Pioneer Valley, Western Massachusetts, and the Commonwealth as a whole,” he said. “I am thrilled that Eversource is able to have this opening and to understand more about smart meters. I thank you for everything you’re doing, and I look forward to the future.”
Smart meter installations in Western Massachusetts will continue into early 2026 before expanding into Eastern Massachusetts. Learn more about the benefits of this modern technology and what customers can expect, and watch a recording of all the remarks at yesterday’s event.
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 transmits and delivers electricity and natural gas and supplies water to 2.2 million customers throughout Massachusetts, including approximately 1.58 million electric customers in 159 communities, 647,000 gas customers in 125 communities, and 12,000 water customers in five communities. 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
Olessa Stepanova
781-441-8952
olessa.stepanova@eversource.com