Bridgeport & Fairfield Leaders Call On CT Siting Council To Delay Or Deny UI Monopole Plan

News release from the City of Bridgeport:

BRIDGEPORT, CT — The City of Bridgeport and the Town of Fairfield, together with members of their state legislative delegations, have formally called on the Connecticut Siting Council (CSC) to delay or deny United Illuminating’s Application under Docket 516R, citing significant adverse impacts that would result from the proposed overhead transmission line project, and identifying serious procedural concerns with the proceedings before the Connecticut Siting Council.

Separate letters from attorneys representing the municipalities and the state legislators were sent today to the Siting Council, urging the body to table its vote scheduled for October 16, 2025, or to reject the Application until a fully developed alternative design can be discussed and presented.

“First Selectman Vitale and I have repeatedly tried to engage with UI to negotiate a more equitable solution for the residents of Bridgeport and Fairfield. Unfortunately, UI has refused to participate in any constructive conversation, despite the clear and loud dissent from our residents,” stated Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim. “The proposed project as is will cause irreparable harm to our neighborhoods, especially our religious and historic institutions, while preventing economic development and furthering negative environmental impacts. We are asking the Siting Council to delay this vote until UI is ready to negotiate in good faith with the City of Bridgeport and the Town of Fairfield."

“The Siting Council process has been marred by several concerning issues. After rejecting the proposed overhead route on three prior occasions, the Council took a straw vote in September and inexplicably reversed itself by suddenly indicating support for this unacceptable route. The reversal from its prior positions, when nothing has changed and there have been no new hearings, has raised serious questions about transparency and what may have happened behind closed doors to cause this reversal,” said Fairfield First Selectman Christine Vitale. “The proposed overhead plan would cause property values to decline and would directly harm local businesses and economic development that will impact the municipalities of Fairfield and Bridgeport for decades in the future. In addition, the proposed project would forever harm the precious cultural, historic and religious institutions in the town. The Council should not move forward with a vote until UI has worked with the municipalities to identify infrastructure solutions that protect our communities.”

The joint requests follow a request last month from Governor Ned Lamont to delay the Siting Council vote in order for the utility to come to the table in good faith for productive discussions of alternatives. While the Council agreed to delay its vote by one month, in that time United Illuminating has not been willing to negotiate at all, ignoring Governor Lamont’s appropriate call for a negotiated resolution. The Council tabling its vote for six months would allow time for meaningful negotiation and exploration of solutions.

Bridgeport and Fairfield leaders, advocacy groups, residents and state lawmakers have voiced concerns for months over UI’s plan to install massive monopoles along the Metro-North corridor through Bridgeport and Fairfield. The process, first approved by the Siting Council for a north side design which was later overturned by the Superior Court, has been marked by procedural flaws due to insufficient notice to property owners, and violations of Connecticut statutes. Throughout the process the town has argued that there has been an unacceptable lack of consideration of alternative designs that would minimize negative impacts and protect sensitive areas of historic, cultural and religious significance.

Both Bridgeport and Fairfield have repeatedly expressed willingness to work with UI on alternatives that would achieve the utility’s need for electric transmission reliability without sacrificing the needs of the communities. Unfortunately, UI has been completely inflexible in its interactions with the municipalities. The Siting Council’s vote on Docket 516R is currently scheduled for the CSC meeting on Thursday, October 16 at 1:00 p.m.

The City of Bridgeport remains steadfast in its commitment to fight for the protection of all of our local businesses, natural resources, and historic and religious properties.

Connecticut Siting Council hearing:

1 p.m. on Thursday

Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88176926763?pwd=faYvMnOhboMoK8NQ6awSq2e6KFb8iO.1

Meeting ID: 881 7692 6763
Passcode: P39c1p

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