No Agreement Reached Between Fairfield, Bridgeport & UI Over Monopole Project

FAIRFIELD, CT — A contingent of state and local officials from Fairfield and Bridgeport could not reach an agreement with United Illuminating Friday when the officials and the utility company tried to negotiate a delay for the upcoming Connecticut Siting Council meeting where UI's proposed monopole project will be voted upon.

Fairfield First Selectwoman Christine Vitale and Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim led the negotiating effort with UI President Frank Reynolds; the meeting was arranged by staff in Gov. Ned Lamont's office.

This week, state legislators from the two communities also wrote to the Siting Council to voice their opposition to the project, in which dozens of tall monopoles would be installed through parts of Fairfield and Bridgeport that would carry high-voltage power lines.

Officials from the two communities, businesses and residents oppose that plan and want the power lines buried instead.

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• CT Siting Council Recommends A New UI Monopole Proposal In Fairfield
• UI's Monopole Project In Fairfield Inches Ahead With Siting Council OK
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"Our hope was that we could work together to develop a plan to mitigate the disastrous effects on our communities," Vitale wrote in a message to constituents. "UI stated that they were open to exploring other options, but only after the Siting Council votes on September 18. We are very concerned that by that time it will be too late for any meaningful influence on accommodations where they are critically needed."

Bridgeport and Fairfield officials have scheduled a news conference for Tuesday, two days before the Siting Council meeting, to discuss the situation.

Below is Vitale's message to constituents:

Dear Concerned Citizens,

This afternoon, in advance of the September 18 Connecticut Siting Council vote, elected officials from Fairfield and Bridgeport met with the President of United Illuminating, Frank Reynolds, to voice our strong opposition to the UI Monopole project.

Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim and I were joined by elected state representatives from both municipalities: State Representatives Jennifer Leeper, Cristin McCarthy Vahey, Sarah Keitt, and Senator Tony Hwang, along with Bridgeport State Representative Steve Stafstrom. Legal teams from both communities and United Illuminating were also in attendance.

We thank Governor Lamont’s Chief of Staff for bringing everyone together to try to develop an alternative plan. Unfortunately, United Illuminating was not willing to negotiate or join us in asking the Connecticut Siting Council to delay their vote scheduled for Thursday, September 18.

Our hope was that we could work together to develop a plan to mitigate the disastrous effects on our communities. UI stated that they were open to exploring other options but only after the Siting Council votes on September 18. We are very concerned that by that time it will be too late for any meaningful influence on accommodations where they are critically needed.

This approach leaves Fairfield and Bridgeport with little opportunity for constructive discussion before key decisions are made. We are continuing to fight for our community and hope you will join us as we continue to amplify our message at a press conference next week:

The Town of Fairfield and the City of Bridgeport plan to hold a joint press conference on Tuesday, September 16 at 1:00 at the Barnum Museum, 820 Main Street in Bridgeport, one of the impacted historic treasures.

My administration will continue to work with our legal team to oppose the twice-denied plan by the Siting Council and inexplicably and suddenly approved in a straw vote on September 4. We will advocate for a new, responsible solution and pursue every legal route available to us. I am steadfast in my commitment to fight for the protection of all Fairfield residents, businesses and places of worship.

Christine Vitale
First Selectman