The ConnSMART Program, and the five Connecticut municipal electric utilities participating in the Program, was chosen by the Department of Energy (DOE) in October, 2009 to participate in a Smart Grid Investment Grant program. The ConnSMART program was one of 99 selected from a total of 416 applications received, and is the only Connecticut application that received funding through this initiative. ConnSMART will implement planned programs between March 2010 and March 2013.

ConnSMART will enable participating utilities and their customers to better understand and control their energy use and benefit from new smart grid-enabled opportunities to choose how and when energy is consumed, potentially resulting in lower costs - all while further enhancing the already high level of reliability and service provided by Connecticut's municipal utilities. Each participating municipal utility is developing a unique smart grid implementation plan that best fits the needs of its own customers.

ConnSMART was formed by the Connecticut municipal electric utilities serving Norwich, Groton, Bozrah (and neighboring areas), the Norwalk second taxing district, and Jewett City, plus the Connecticut Municipal Electrical Energy Cooperative. Each utility has a unique plan that best fits the needs of its own customers, while collaborating with the other participants to coordinate the program and share best practices.