CT Siting Council Recommends A New UI Monopole Proposal In Fairfield
FAIRFIELD, CT — In a 115-page draft finding of fact, the Connecticut Siting Council this week recommended that United Illuminating amend its current proposal for a controversial monopole transmission line project through parts of Fairfield and Bridgeport.
The decision is nonbinding, as a final vote is not expected until next month, but the council’s action is welcomed news to Fairfield officials and residents who oppose the proposal.
In the draft, the council says UI should consider moving the monopoles to the north side of the railroad tracks, instead of installing them on the south side as currently proposed.
Find out what's happening in Fairfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“[Thursday’s] public deliberation is a significant step in the right direction,” First Selectman Bill Gerber said in a statement sent to Patch. “The Town appreciates the Siting Council’s consideration of the precious cultural resources to the south of the railroad tracks, including the historic properties, religious institutions, residences and businesses that all would have been devastated by UI’s preferred option. However, the Town still believes that undergrounding is the best solution for this project.”
In past public meetings, UI said burying the transmission lines would significantly raise the price of the project, and ratepayers would have to bear the brunt of those costs.
Find out what's happening in Fairfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“We continue to have serious concerns about the potential impacts of a double-circuit design,” Gerber added. “There should be no easements over sensitive areas to the north of the railroad tracks, and the monopoles should not be taller than those that are currently there.”
Under the current proposal, UI would install dozens of monopoles, some of which would rise more than 100 feet in the air, to carry high-voltage transmission lines to modernize the system and harden it in case of a catastrophic event.
In a statement to Patch, Jim Cole, Vice President of Projects at UI, said the utility company appreciates the “thorough analysis” of the draft findings, in which the council exercised “continued dedication to ensuring integrity in all aspects” of the report.
He stopped short of disclosing UI’s next steps, but the project team is continuing to work on its design.
“From the very beginning, UI has advocated for a design that will strengthen and modernize transmission infrastructure that is more than 60 years old, fortify the grid for electrification demands expected to double for New England customers by 2050, and allow for upgrades to the rail corridor – all while minimizing the community and environmental impacts and while appropriately balancing the costs borne by all ratepayers,” Cole said.
“We appreciate the opportunity to engage constructively with the CSC, and as we await the final decision, we look forward to further opportunities to discuss the benefits of this project by working individually with our towns, businesses, and residential customers in the coming weeks and months,” he added.
Cole also urged Fairfield residents and officials to review the benefits of the project at www.uirailroadtlineupgrades.com.
Two of Fairfield’s state legislators, Democratic Rep. Jennifer Leeper and Republican Sen. Tony Hwang, both said they were pleased with the Siting Council’s decision.
“I wholeheartedly support the decision made by the Connecticut Siting Council [Thursday], with not one commissioner voting in favor of the plan as proposed,” Leeper said. “UI put forward an unreasonable proposal and today the Siting Council recognized that. This decision comes as a result of the passionate work of the people of Fairfield. Residents have been united in their opposition to this intrusive, destructive, and opaque plan, and have raised valid and specific concerns throughout this process.”
Added Hwang, “I am eager to review this report in detail. UI’s monopole project will adversely affect our communities in Bridgeport and Fairfield/Southport. It will negatively impact residents and businesses who are united in their objection to this disruptive project. UI’s lack of transparency during this process has been frustrating. That being said, it should be noted that the fight continues on this issue. The town, residents, and commercial intervenors will continue the fight for their rights and access to the facts in any manner they can.”
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