Community Victory at CT Siting Council Shows Power of Local Leadership

As a Fairfield resident, I am thrilled by the Connecticut Siting Council's decision to deny United Illuminating's Docket 516R, the proposal to construct 7.3 miles of overhead monopole transmission through neighborhoods, historic areas, and commercial districts in Fairfield and Bridgeport. Beyond the unsightly monopoles, this project would have taken 19.25 acres of primarily privately owned land into the utility’s control, permanently scarring our landscape; affecting local businesses along the corridor; devastating our historic properties; and diminishing the beauty, desirability, and property values of our town.

As we celebrate this victory, let’s remember how the grassroots movement to fight these intrusive structures began.

• State Representative Jennifer Leeper first sounded the alarm in April 2023, sending multiple detailed communications to constituents through the Spring and Summer and, ultimately submitting testimony to the Siting Council on August 15, 2023.
• Representative Leeper's early action galvanized our community response. Shortly thereafter, SCNETI (Sasco Creek Neighbors Environmental Trust), was founded. SCNETI organized as intervenors by August 29, and the Town of Fairfield itself filed for party status on August 28, 2023.
• Our late First Selectman Bill Gerber and his running mate, Christine Vitale, recognized the gravity of this threat. Once in office, First Selectman Gerber brought the full force of Town resources to fight the monopole project. He understood what was at stake for Fairfield and Bridgeport residents.
• Representative Leeper's leadership also resulted in the passage of CT Public Act 24-144 in 2024, which reformed the Siting Council process to be more transparent with communities, more inclusive of community voices and require more financial transparency from the utilities. When UI refiles their application, they will be subject to these stricter requirements.

I want to formally thank Representative Leeper, Bill Gerber, Christine Vitale, SCNETI and its leaders Andrea and Steve Ozyck, community and religious leaders, and countless Fairfield residents for their tireless advocacy.

This entire process has also taught us something important about First Selectman Christine Vitale: she has assumed the mantle of running Fairfield with the same dedication and clarity of purpose as her predecessor. Her leadership has been essential in seeing the monopole fight through to this successful conclusion. I am confident that, even as United Illuminating appeals or devises new plans, First Selectman Vitale will continue to advocate for Fairfield’s property rights, economic development, and historic resources.

This is what local leadership looks like: listening to residents, taking early action, building coalitions, and following through. First Selectman Christine Vitale has proven herself a leader who will fight for all of Fairfield’s interests with the same determination that brought us this victory.

I'm proud to support Christine Vitale for re-election as First Selectman.