Boston Edison Company
| Company type | Division (formerly independent company) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electric utility |
| Predecessor | Edison Electric Illuminating Company of Boston |
| Founded | 1886 |
| Fate | Merged to form NSTAR in 1999; now part of Eversource Energy |
| Headquarters | Boston , United States |
| Products | Electric power generation and distribution, smart meters |
The Boston Edison Company (BECo), originally established in 1886 under the name Edison Electric Illuminating Company of Boston, ranks among the pioneering electric utility enterprises in the United States. Although it had been informally known as Boston Edison Company for many years, the firm officially adopted this title in June 1937.
Electric vehicles
The company's efforts in electric vehicle development were spearheaded by Edward S. Mansfield. On April 3, 1911, BECo convened a meeting in Boston aimed at encouraging cooperation between producers of electric vehicles and managers of central power stations. Dugald C. Jackson from MIT participated, committing to provide scientific assistance to advance the electric vehicle sector.
Timeline
- 1886 - Founded as Edison Electric Illuminating Company of Boston
- 1901 - Purchased Suburban Light and Power Company
- 1902 - Acquired Boston Electric Light Company, creating a municipal monopoly
- 1903 - Obtained Milton Light and Power, Framingham Electric, Somerville Electric Light, among others
- 1904 - Built Boston Edison Power Station
- 1916 - Installed the first master clock designed by Telechron founder Henry Ellis Warren for AC synchronous timekeeping
- 1923 - Initiated mobile radio station WTAT
- 1924 - Established radio station WEEI (currently WEZE)
- 1925 - Commissioned Edgar Station in Weymouth
- 1937 - Officially changed name to Boston Edison Company
- 1943 - Opened Mystic Generating Station
- 1967 - Became part of Eastern Massachusetts and Vermont Energy Control
- 1969 - Joined Rhode Island-Eastern Massachusetts-Vermont Energy Control group
- 1971 - Entered New England Power Pool
- 1972 - Began operations at Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station (construction started in 1967)
- 1993 - Created smart meters equipped with radio communication technology
Disappearance as independent company
In 1999, Boston Edison combined with Cambridge Electric Light Company, Commonwealth Electric Company, and NSTAR Gas Company to establish NSTAR. Subsequent consolidations have resulted in Boston Edison becoming a division within Eversource Energy.
South Boston power plant
The L Street Power Plant (currently located at 776 Summer Street) in South Boston was operated by Boston Edison. Originally constructed in 1898 with an added turbine hall completed in 1903, the facility was owned by Exelon at the time of its closure and sold for redevelopment purposes in 2016. The Exelon New Boston Power Plant was erected on this site while preserving the original Edison structure.
Real estate developers Redgate and Hilco Redevelopment proposed a mixed-use development project contingent upon the removal of a deed restriction imposed in 2014 that forbids residential construction. This limitation is due to the site's vicinity to Conley Terminal, including its haul road and designated shipping channel. The redevelopment initiative has encountered obstacles concerning housing unit approvals and regulatory compliance.