A reversal by the state Siting Council to approve the controversial proposal to install steel monopoles as part of a UI power transmission line project has Fairfield First Selectman Christine Vitale up in arms.
“We are stunned that the council reversed its own straw vote taken only three months ago, when nothing has changed in the interim,” Vitale said. “This process was tainted.”
In a 6-2 non-binding vote – including a vote from a new council member (Dr. Scott Williams) who is an ecology expert – the CSC decided UI’s alternative plan to move the monopoles north of the railroad tracks.
“The council ignored clear, viable alternatives, and instead rubber-stamped a proposal that threatens the character, natural resources and economic stability of our town, and claims approximately 19.5 acres of private property in the process,” Vitale added.
The council had delayed an earlier vote on June 26 when UI requested a stay citing the lack of a sufficient quorum of ecology experts on the CSC. However, the council earlier denied the application in a June 19 straw vote, 4-2, with one abstention. That vote took place after residents and town officials successfully won a legal challenge in April. New Britain Superior Court Matthew Budzik had ruled then that CSC should not have approved the monopoles north of the Metro-North train tracks.
“We appreciate the Connecticut Siting Council’s thoughtful consideration of the Fairfield to Congress transmission project today,” said Sarah Wall Fliotsos, UI spokesperson. “Over two years ago, UI submitted our application for this project with the same design criteria as the first four phases across seven municipalities, all of which were approved.
“That is because our proposed overhead design best achieves all the necessary objectives: protecting the environment and reining in costs that are borne by all Connecticut customers, while ensuring UI can serve the present and future electric capacity needed for the New England region and the customers we have proudly served for more than 125 years.”
She said UI looks forward to continuing to work with the CSC, municipal leaders, and residents and businesses across the state both prior to and after the Council’s final decision.
These improvements will include, but are not limited to, rebuilding tracks, adding new catenary structures, installing track sidings, building additional bridge spans and adding wayside equipment to support this high-speed rail initiative.
UI’s application for a certificate for the Fairfield to Congress railroad transmission line project consists of relocation and rebuild of its existing 115kV electric transmission lines along 7.3 miles of Metro-North Railroad corridor located east of Sasco Creek in Fairfield and UI’s Congress Street substation in Bridgeport. It also calls for rebuilding of two existing 115kv lines along 2.3 miles to facilitate the interconnection between UI’s Ash Creek, Resco, Pequannock, and Congress Street substations.
