IMPORTANT UPDATE
On June 12, 2025, the Connecticut Siting Council held a virtual meeting to discuss next steps in Docket #516. During the meeting, the Council took a straw vote on United Illuminating’s original application, which proposed installing massive new monopoles and transmission lines along the south side of the Metro-North railroad through Southport, Fairfield, and Bridgeport.
While an official vote is still pending, a majority of Council members voted to deny the application. If that result holds, UI will be required to submit an entirely new application, triggering a fresh review process.
Quick status of where our opposition stands:
6/10/25 Fairfield and Bridgeport Legislators Urge Siting Council to Deny Docket #516 and Require a New Application - Members of the Fairfield and Bridgeport legislative delegations submitted a joint letter to the Connecticut Siting Council , strongly urging the Council to deny UI’s application in Docket #516 and require the utility to submit a new application. The letter supports the June 6, 2025 letter submitted by attorneys representing the Town of Fairfield, the City of Bridgeport, SCNETI, and other impacted parties. It emphasizes the need for a new process that complies with the Superior Court’s ruling, adheres to the public participation requirements of Public Act 24-144, and fully considers underground alternatives that would better protect the community’s historic and environmental resources.
6/6/25 Attorneys Urge Siting Council to Deny Docket #516 and Require a New Application - The attorneys representing the Town of Fairfield, the City of Bridgeport, SCNETI, and other impacted parties submitted a joint letter to the Connecticut Siting Council urging the Council to deny UI’s current application in Docket #516. The letter cites the Superior Court's ruling that the Council acted outside its authority and violated public due process and emphasizes that only a new, properly submitted application can meet legal requirements and protect the community’s rights.
4/23/25 MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT The Connecticut Superior Court has ruled in favor of SCNETI, the Town of Fairfield, and our fellow co-plaintiffs in our appeal challenging the Connecticut Siting Council’s approval of United Illuminating’s transmission line project through Fairfield and Bridgeport. The court found that the CSC “exceeded its statutory authority and violated principles of fundamental fairness.” Central to this decision was the fact that the Siting Council approved a project located on an entirely different route from what was originally proposed, without proper notice or an opportunity for public input. While this ruling is a significant and hard-earned victory for our community, the road ahead remains uncertain until United Illuminating announces its next steps. We remain prepared and committed to protecting our property rights, environment, history, and public safety in whatever comes next. See the judge's memorandum for more details.
4/4/25 United Illuminating has begun outreach to coordinate with residents for permanent easements. The Town's official official message to abutters who are being contacted by UI (or their partner, Cornerstone) is as follows:
Even though the Town’s appeal is still pending in Superior Court, United Illuminating is in the process of designing the Fairfield to Congress Transmission Rebuild Project. UI and its right of way agent, Cornerstone, are now reaching out to residents to request that residents grant permanent easements to UI. Some residents on the north side of the MetroNorth corridor have received proposed “Option Agreements” from UI. Under the proposed Option Agreement, UI offers to pay the resident money in exchange for the resident granting to UI a permanent easement on the resident’s property. If you receive one of these requests, please know that you are under no obligation to agree to the terms and grant UI a permanent easement on your property. In fact, the Connecticut Siting Council has not yet approved any specific plan that identifies where United Illuminating may require easements in the future. If you receive these documents from UI, we encourage you to consult with your own attorney to fully understand the impact of the permanent easement on your property rights.
1/13/25 our Appeal hearing was held in New Britain Superior Court before the Honorable Judge Matthew Budzik. Arguments were presented by attorneys from SCNETI, the Town of Fairfield, the City of Bridgeport, Southport Congregational Church, and BJ's Wholesale. Judge Budzik has 120 to issue his decision and we are hopeful for a favorable outcome. See the 1/16/25 First Selectman's update for additional details about the hearing.
See Recent Updates page for more details