UI Seeks Reconsideration Of Denied Fairfield/Bridgeport Monopole Proposal

FAIRFIELD, CT ? United Illuminating has filed a Motion for Reconsideration with the Connecticut Siting Council to revisit the council's recent decision to deny the utility company's proposed monopole transmission line project in Fairfield and Bridgeport, UI officials announced.

The utility company filed the motion, in part, because it did not receive an explanation from the council as to why the proposed project was rejected.

"Without any explanation as to why the Project was denied, UI is left ? after several years of developing the Project and diligently participating in the regulatory process to evaluate it ? with no guidance as to what, if any, issues the Council had with the proposed solution to the important public need the Project sought to address," the filing claims.

Before filing the motion, UI sought records from several officials from the two communities, in an effort to discern why some council members changed their votes between meetings.

Under the proposal, UI was seeking approval to install dozens of tall monopoles throughout parts of Fairfield and Bridgeport that would carry high voltage power lines high in the air. As a result, the utility company would seek easements from several property owners to install and maintain the poles.

UI says the project is needed to replace aging infrastructure, harden its system against natural disasters, and improve service to meet future power requirements.

Opponents of the plan, which include leaders from both communities and business owner, clergy members and residents, do not question the need for the project, but want the wires placed underground instead, which they say would be less disruptive to the municipalities.

The utility company estimates that the difference in cost between the above-ground solution and the below-ground solution are significant, with the above-ground effort being much less expensive.

"The record demonstrates that the Project complies with all applicable statutes and regulations," the motion to the council states. "As demonstrated by the evidence in the record and the Council?s prior findings, there is a public need for this Project and the proposed location of the rebuilt 115-kV lines, and the effects associated with the construction, operation and maintenance of the Project ? including electromagnetic fields, which will not pose an undue hazard to person or property ? are not sufficient reason to deny the Application."

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