Fairfield Residents, Businesses Urged To Attend CT Siting Council Hearing On UI Proposal

FAIRFIELD, CT — The Connecticut Siting Council is scheduled to virtually at 1 p.m. on Thursday, and Fairfield and Bridgeport residents and businesses are urged to listen in, as the council discusses the proposed United Illuminating monopole project. Phone and Zoom information are below.

In a message to constituents Wednesday, First Selectwoman Christine Vitale not only urged people to tune into the meeting, but also to write to the council.

"In a few words, let them know how you, your business or your Town could be affected by these monopoles, and how wrong they are for Fairfield, Bridgeport and Connecticut," Vitale wrote. "State that you are in opposition to the Siting Council's straw vote allowing Docket 516R to proceed."

Under the proposed project, UI is seeking to construct dozens of tall monopoles, which will carry high-voltage power lines, through parts of Fairfield and Bridgeport. The utility company has said the project is needed, in part, to harden its system to natural disasters, and to meet the growing electrical needs of the region.

Leaders, residents and businesses in both communities argue that the project would adversely impact the neighborhoods, and instead of an above-ground solution, they would like to see the power lines buried, as UI has done in some other municipalities.

The estimated cost difference between the above and below ground efforts is significant, with UI saying the above-ground solution could cost about $300 million, compared to the buried solution, which could cost over $1 billion.

Read More:

• Fairfield & Bridgeport Team Up To Oppose UI's Proposed Monopole Project
• 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
• Fairfield Files Appeal Against CT Siting Council's UI Monopole Plan

Below is Vitale's message to constituents:

Dear concerned citizens,

The Connecticut Siting Council (CSC) will meet again on Thursday, October 16, 2025, to continue deliberations on United Illuminating’s proposed transmission project through Southport, Fairfield, and Bridgeport. This meeting will determine whether the project is to be approved for the south side of the Metro-North Railroad, whether the Siting Council will grant a further delay to allow more time to work with UI on alternatives, or whether they will reject the Application and ask UI to submit a new docket.

Where Things Stand Now
As you may recall,

• The Superior Court ruled in our favor earlier this year, finding that the CSC had overstepped its authority when it approved a version of the project never formally submitted. The judge remanded the case back to the Council.
• On June 12, the Council held a straw vote in in favor of denying UI’s application.
• A final vote was scheduled for June 26, but prior to that meeting, UI filed a motion to stay, arguing that the Council was improperly constituted because it required another member with expertise in the field of ecology. This effectively put the Docket #516 decision on hold.
• On September 4, a straw vote was taken with Siting Council members inexplicably reversing their prior straw votes and recommended the approval of UI's plan to install monopoles to the south of the Metro-North Railroad tracks, a plan that the Council itself previously rejected as unfit for our community and that ignores private property rights.
• Following a rally at the Capitol, Governor Ned Lamont requested a delay in the vote, and the Siting Council granted a 30 -day delay so Fairfield, Bridgeport, and UI come to the table and discuss potential alterations to the plan.
• Despite the Town of Fairfield and City of Bridgeport meeting with UI, UI was not willing to negotiate at all. We are disappointed with this development which ignores Governor Lamont's appropriate call for a negotiated resolution.

Ask the Siting Council to Pause or Reject the Docket

Send emails to the Connecticut Siting Council asking them to delay or reject UI's Application in Docket 516R until there has been a design of alternative solutions that better protect our community,

Siting.Council@ct.gov
Fax: 860-827-2950

In a few words, let them know how you, your business or your Town could be affected by these monopoles, and how wrong they are for Fairfield, Bridgeport and Connecticut. State that you are in opposition to the Siting Council's straw vote allowing Docket 516R to proceed.

Speak out
Share this news with your friends and neighbors
Every message counts!

‍Attend the Siting Council Meeting on Oct 16

Nothing is final until the Council takes its formal vote and issues a written decision.

Our concerns have always centered on property rights, historic preservation, and protecting our economic interests. The communities impacted by this project carry significant burdens for the benefit of the larger electrical grid. In this day and age, United Illuminating MUST plan for the long term to develop technology and expertise to bury transmission lines underground in an efficient way.

I strongly encourage you to attend Thursday's virtual meeting to demonstrate our engagement and how important this decision is to Fairfield and Bridgeport.

CSC Meeting – Thursday, October 16, 2025

at 1:00 PM ET

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

Meeting ID: 881 7692 6763
Passcode: P39c1p

To Dial in by Phone:
Dial +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 881 7692 6763
Passcode: 045572


Please share this with your neighbors and local organizations. We’ve come this far because of strong, united advocacy. Let’s keep showing up.

Christine Vitale
First Selectman