Gov. Lamont Calls On UI To Delay CT Siting Council Vote On Proposed Monopole Project

FAIRFIELD, CT — Gov. Ned Lamont on Tuesday joined a rally outside the state Capitol to call for a delay in the controversial power transmission project by United Illuminating, which opposed by Fairfield and Bridgeport officials, businesses and residents.

Lamont said he has asked United Illuminating to postpone a planned vote before the Connecticut Siting Council to allow time to review alternative proposals.

"I want a delay to see a better way to do this," Lamont told demonstrators. "We’re not going to let UI rush into a bad decision."

First Selectwoman Christine Vitale of Fairfield thanked Lamont for intervening. She has criticized the Siting Council’s process as "tainted" after the panel reversed its earlier position in a Sept. 4 straw vote.

"Governor Lamont has heard the voices of the people of Fairfield and Bridgeport and has offered both our municipalities and UI an opportunity to start again, this time with a plan that takes our concerns into account," Vitale said. "Now I call upon UI to finally sit down with us to meaningfully evaluate alternatives that will minimize disruption to the precious resources in our community."

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The Siting Council is scheduled to meet on Thursday. A spokesperson for UI told Patch that the utility company did not have a comment, but that Lamont also said at the rally that after a conversation with UI officials, he was told that the company would not oppose a delay.

Steve and Andrea Ozyck, co-founders of the Sasco Creek Neighbors Environmental Trust, said the rally showed public opposition to UI’s plan to install overhead transmission monopoles through residential and historic areas. The group contends the project would result in lost homes and businesses, damage to landmarks and churches, and other community impacts.

"We thank all who traveled to Hartford to ensure their concerns were heard, and the many speakers who gave voice to the profound impacts this project would bring—lost homes and businesses, forfeited economic development opportunities, damage to historic landmarks, and desecration of cherished churches," Ozycks said. "We are deeply grateful to Governor Lamont for standing with us and affirming the need for alternative solutions that deliver a resilient, reliable grid while protecting our communities from devastating harm."

A joint Fairfield-Bridgeport news conference is scheduled for Wednesday at the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport to outline the municipalities’ concerns.

In June, a Siting Council straw vote recommended rejecting United Illuminating’s plan to place monopoles along the Metro-North Railroad tracks, a route the council had previously rejected. Acting Chairman Morrisette at the time instructed staff to draft a formal opinion denying the application. But on Sept. 4, the council reversed course without new hearings or evidence, Vitale said.

Fairfield officials have argued for placing transmission lines underground along public roadways, saying it is a safer and more modern approach.

In a separate development, Superior Court Judge Matthew Budzik ruled earlier this year that the council exceeded its statutory authority and violated principles of fairness when it approved overhead monopoles north of the Metro-North tracks. The court sent the matter back to the council for further proceedings.

Town officials and grassroots groups say they will continue pressing United Illuminating to bury the lines rather than build overhead structures.

"The Town of Fairfield has been an involved intervenor in the process from the beginning," Vitale said. "Overwhelming opposition from residents, small business owners, preservationists and religious leaders has been heard. Thank you to the grassroots organizations, businesses and individuals who have joined this fight. This is good government, and democracy in action."