United Illuminating hosts meeting for concerned citizens on proposed transmission line rebuild
Resident concerns include the height of the monopoles, which exceed 90 feet, the amount of land to be clear-cut and the impacts on homes and businesses.
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Residents joined a Fairfield Town Hall meeting to express disapproval on United Illuminating's proposal to build more than 60 electric monopoles.
UI says the monopoles will improve their system's weather resilience and decrease the electromagnetic field levels.
Resident concerns include the height of the monopoles, which exceed 90 feet, the amount of land to be clear-cut and the impacts on homes and businesses.
Officials at UI said they are not pursuing eminent domain on any property.
Residents pushed for the project to be underground, but UI argued that it would cost more, take longer, and impact town life.
First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick says she's working with UI and Fairfield's representatives to come to a compromise.
"I had the president of UI and his team in my office last week, going over this, and I just said, 'Work with us. We're going to give you a list of priority areas that we are concerned about, and let's talk them through.' Maybe it's underground in some areas, maybe it's just, the pole is on the DOT line," said Kupchick.
The Connecticut Siting Council will host meetings on the issue throughout October, and for the month of November.
Officials say decisions are due in March 2024.
