Bridgeport & Fairfield Leaders Vow To Fight Proposed UI Monopole Project

BRIDGEPORT, CT — Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim and Fairfield First Selectman Christine Vitale are teaming up with other political leaders from the two communities to fight against the proposed monopole transmission line project that United Illuminating hopes to erect in parts of the two municipalities.

On Wednesday, Ganim and Vitale will hold a joint news conference to voice their opposition to the Connecticut Siting Council’s recent straw vote approving UI's transmission line project along the south side of the Metro North railroad tracks. During the gathering, the leaders will urge the Siting Council to delay the final vote until the municipalities and United Illuminating can meaningfully address community concerns, according to officials.

Of particular concern are impacts to historic neighborhoods, churches, small businesses and other sensitive areas along the proposed route. UI wants to install dozens of tall monopoles that will carry the high-voltage transmission lines high above ground, while the leaders, residents and business owners in the two communities want the lines buried.

The two sides met last week to discuss potential alternatives, but no agreement was reached.

"First Selectman Vitale and I have repeatedly stated that we are ready and willing to begin negotiations immediately, as we have been for the last two years, to ensure that the right improvements can be made to our electrical infrastructure to ensure stability for decades to come while not decimating our neighborhoods," Ganim said in a statement. "The flippant attitude from UI now that they have influenced their votes on the Siting Council is a disrespect to every resident of Bridgeport and Fairfield. Be assured, we will not give up this fight."

Added Vitale, "Fairfield is committed to fighting for the property rights of its residents and businesses. This project, as proposed, cuts through the heart of our community, and the Siting Council is rushing forward without regard for the impact of their decision. We are calling on the Siting Council to delay this vote so that community concerns can be fully heard and addressed, giving our residents a real voice in the process."

The Siting Council has held two straw votes on the project, with the first one going in the communities' favor, and the second one going in UI's favor.

Read More:

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• Setting the Record Straight on UI’s Misinformation Campaign
• UI Responds To Statements By Fairfield Advocates In Monopole Dispute
• CT Siting Council Recommends A New UI Monopole Proposal In Fairfield
• UI's Monopole Project In Fairfield Inches Ahead With Siting Council OK
• Residents Urged To Speak Out Against UI Monopole Proposal In Fairfield
• Fairfield Leaders Blast CT Siting Council Over New UI Straw Vote
• State Council's 'Straw Vote' On Important Fairfield Issue Goes In Town's Favor
• UI Responds To Mounting Opposition In Fairfield To Monopole Proposal

Wednesday's news conference is scheduled for 11 a.m. at the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport. In addition to Vitale and Ganim, other officials expected to attend include:

• State Rep. Steve Stafstrom
• State Rep. Antonio Felipe
• State Rep. Sarah Keitt
• State Sen. Herron Gaston
• State Sen. Tony Hwang
• The Rev. Carl McCluster, Shiloh Baptist Church
• Historic Architect David Parker

Besides Wednesday's news conference, a rally was scheduled for Tuesday in Hartford's Bushnell Park near the state Capitol Building to protest the project and the Siting Council's recent straw vote.

The Siting Council is scheduled to meet again on Thursday. UI has determined that their best course of action is to allow the Siting Council formal vote to take place on Thursday, but Fairfield and Bridgeport officials maintain that the Siting Council’s reversal of their own straw vote in June — when they rejected a southern overhead route — "is inexplicable considering there have been no new hearings or evidence since June, and as a result this has become a tainted proceeding."

Leaders from the two communities "are calling for a pause to ensure that alternative solutions are considered and that impacts on churches, historic districts, and businesses are fully addressed before a final plan is approved."