CT Siting Council Delays Vote On Proposed UI Monopole Project In Fairfield & Bridgeport

FAIRFIELD, CT — The Connecticut Siting Council Thursday voted unanimously to postpone a decision on United Illuminating’s proposed monopole transmission line project along the southern route of Metro-North railroad tracks, delaying action until Oct. 16.

The vote follows months of opposition from municipal leaders, elected officials and residents in Fairfield and Bridgeport, who have objected to the utility’s plan to install large monopoles near residential and business areas. Critics have said the project would require the seizure of portions of private properties, harming the values of those properties, and would hamper economic development and adversely impact neighborhood character.

The decision to delay the vote on the project was supported by Gov. Ned Lamont, who wrote to the Siting Council requesting such a move.

"This delay gives us our first real opportunity to work together to develop a solution that delivers reliable energy without sacrificing Fairfield and Bridgeport neighborhoods and businesses," said Fairfield First Selectwoman Christine Vitale in a statement. "We need more information about the true costs of undergrounding and a willingness to examine rerouting where necessary. It is my hope that now we can seriously discuss some of these options. I thank Governor Lamont for hearing the voices of our communities and standing with us to work toward a better solution."

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State Rep. Jennifer Leeper, whose district would be heavily impacted by UI's current proposal, echoed Vitale's sentiments.

"The Siting Council has delayed their vote on this project until Oct. 16, and now is the time for UI to meaningfully negotiate with Fairfield and Bridgeport," Leeper said. "While the fight isn't over, I am hopeful this represents a new phase in this process where the parties can work together collaboratively to avoid the most disastrous components of UI's proposed route."

Patch reached out to UI for comment, but a spokesperson said the company was working on a statement, which was not yet ready.

Vitale has opposed the project since taking office, and she called for more information on the costs of placing transmission lines underground and said rerouting options should also be examined.

UI has estimated that the above-ground, monopole proposal would cost roughly $300 million, while the underground effort would be more than triple that amount at about $1.01 billion, based on a third-party assessment commissioned by the company.

The utility company says the project is necessary to harden its electric grid and upgrade its service to meet the future power needs of the region.

Whether UI intends to revise its plans before the October meeting is not yet known.

Fairfield officials said they intend to continue pressing the utility to provide detailed cost estimates for underground alternatives and to consider other options beyond the proposed overhead lines.