The Connecticut Siting Council reversed course on Thursday by approving in a 6-2 straw vote United Illuminating’s plan to install large transmission monopoles along the Metro-North corridor through Fairfield, Southport, and Bridgeport, despite rejecting it in a previous straw vote in June. The decision has sparked widespread community outrage.
First Selectman Christine Vitale condemned the Council’s vote, calling it “tainted.”
“The Council ignored clear, viable alternatives, and instead rubber-stamped a proposal that threatens
the character, natural resources and economic stability of our Town, and claims more than 27
acres of private property in the process, ” Vitale stated in a press release. ” We are stunned that the Council reversed its own straw vote taken only three months ago, when nothing has changed in the interim. This process was tainted.”
UI plans to install monopoles along a seven-mile stretch of the Metro-North Railroad corridor, from east of Sasco Creek in Fairfield to the Congress Street substation in Bridgeport. The project would require over 19 acres of permanent easements from homes, businesses, churches, and historic sites. Fairfield opposes the overhead lines and instead wants to UI to bury the lines to preserve local resources.
Fairfield and Bridgeport sued the Siting Council, and earlier this year, the Superior Court ruled in their favor, sending the case back for reconsideration. On June 12, the Council held a non-binding straw vote: four members voted to deny the project, two supported it, and one abstained. Another straw poll was held Thursday, with a final vote expected later this month.
Sarah Wall Fliotsos, a United Illuminating spokesperson, said the utility company appreciates the Connecticut Siting Council’s thoughtful consideration of the Fairfield to Congress transmission project.
“Over two years ago, UI submitted our application for this project with the same design criteria as the first four phases across 7 municipalities, all of which were approved. That is because our proposed overhead design best achieves all the necessary objectives: protecting the environment and reining in costs that are borne by all Connecticut customers, while ensuring UI can serve the present and future electric capacity needed for the New England region and the customers we have proudly served for more than 125 years,” said Fliotsos. “We look forward to continuing to work with the Council, municipal leaders, and residents and businesses across Connecticut both prior to and after the Council’s final decision.”
In a press release, State Senator Tony Hwang called the council’s decision “shocking, disturbing, and a betrayal of public trust.” He said the action disregards months of unified, passionate opposition from residents, community leaders, and local and state officials.
“The Siting Council has chosen to ignore the will of the communities they are supposed to serve and reverse their straw poll decision from just under three months ago. What happened between that straw poll and now? What has changed? Those are questions I believe the Siting Council failed to answer in their meeting today,” he stated.
From FCN partner Easton Courier.
