Bridgeport & Fairfield Team Up To Oppose UI's Proposed Monopole Project

BRIDGEPORT, CT — The fight by Fairfield and Bridgeport continues against United Illuminating's proposed monopole transmission line project.

Leaders from the two communities made that fact clear Wednesday during a joint news conference in front of Bridgeport's Barnum Museum, hosted by Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim and Fairfield First Selectwoman Christine Vitale. The museum is one of the cultural projects that the leaders said would be adversely impacted by the proposed installation of the tall poles that would carry high-voltage wires in the air.

"The monopoles are as high as 195 feet," said Kathy Maher, executive director of the museum. "That is an abomination. Not only is that an abomination for the resources, but it's also abominable for the economic impacts that this is going to have on all of our resources and our communities."

As a reference point, the leaders said of the nearby, 16-story M&T Bank building, that some of the monopoles would be taller than that.

UI says that the project is needed to harden and upgrade the utility company's electrical system to meet the future power needs of the region. The local leaders don't argue that point, but instead of UI hanging wires high in the air, and claiming acres of private property in order to erect and maintain the poles, they want to see UI bury the power lines.

The leaders from the two communities, where the nearly eight-mile project would wind its way through, recently turned to Gov. Ned Lamont for help, and got it, at least temporarily.

Lamont helped to convince UI and the Connecticut Siting Council, which is considering approving the project, to pause a vote on it, which was scheduled for Thursday. The governor wrote to the Siting Council this week seeking the delay.

"After speaking with community members from Fairfield and Bridgeport on the proposed monopole project, I believe it's best that we ensure everyone has an opportunity to explore potential alternatives," Lamont wrote on Facebook. See the letter below.

Read More:

• Court Overturns Controversial Decision; Ruling Is A Victory For Fairfield And Bridgeport
• Huge Price Tag For Underground Transmission Line Project In Fairfield & Bridgeport: UI
• 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

Ganim said that so far, UI has not seemed interested in negotiating an amiable solution.

"The answers that we've gotten back have been arrogant to say the least," Ganim said.

The Siting Council has held two straw votes this year on the project, the first of which went against the proposal, but the second, only a couple of months later, was in favor. Aghast local leaders said the 180-degree flip does not appear to be on the level, with Vitale calling it "tainted."

Vitale said UI is claiming the cost of undergrounding the lines would cost $100 million per circuit mile, while similar projects in other communities, such as Stamford, could cost only about $25 million per circuit mile.

"The numbers don't add up," Vitale said. "We need more information. We need them to come to the table with their plans and discuss options."

In addition to Ganim, Vitale and Maher, Wednesday's news conference also featured remarks by state Rep. Steve Stafstrom; state Rep. Antonio Felipe; state Rep. Sarah Keitt; state Sen. Herron Gaston; state Sen. Tony Hwang; the Rev. Carl McCluster of Shiloh Baptist Church; and historic architect David Parker.