A bipartisan effort is underway to prevent United Illuminating, the utility owned by Avangrid (NYSE:AGR), from pursuing a plan to construct a 25-mile railroad transmission line between West Haven and Fairfield.
According to the utility, the construction would strengthen the “structural integrity” and enhance the reliability of the power lines. The utility is proposing the “installation of approximately 500 new foundation supported galvanized transmission poles, upgrading of conductor size and installing sectionalizing switches at nearby substations.”
However, federal, state and local elected officials from both parties have expressed their reservations over the project, citing environmental risks in the excavations needed for this project. Three separate letters were sent demanding the rejection of the utility’s plan – one from U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and U.S. Rep. Jim Himes to the Connecticut Siting Council; one from State Sen. Tony Hwang and State Reps. Jennifer Leeper, Cristin McCarthy Vahey and Sarah Keitt to UI President and CEO Frank Reynolds; and one from Fairfield First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick to Reynolds.
“The proposed plan carries severe economic repercussions for the Fairfield and Bridgeport communities,” said Andrea Ozyck, a spokesperson for the nonprofit Sasco Creek Neighbors Environmental Trust Inc., which opposes the utility’s plan. “To date, UI has not demonstrated transparency and openness but rather has exhibited deception and evasiveness concerning the substantial easements affecting private property owners. These easements have the potential to reclassify certain properties non-conforming, possibly placing them at risk of complete seizure. We are encouraged by the unified support from our elected officials and are all actively seeking the opportunity to work with UI to identify a strategy that better balances the need for a robust, resilient power grid and the desire to protect our community.”
Photo courtesy United Illuminating