United Illuminating Co. wants to know what the governor and local officials were texting behind the power company’s back just before the state Siting Council reversed its vote and turned down UI’s plan to put giant monopoles through Bridgeport and Fairfield. UI has until Friday to ask the Siting Council to reconsider its decision. If the council refuses, UI can then file a lawsuit seeking an appeal in state Superior Court. All those who have been served with the FOI request have indicated they will comply. In September the Siting Council voted 6 to 2 in a non-binding or straw vote to allow UI to install a series of monopoles, up to 195 feet high, along the south side of the Metro-North Railroad tracks through Bridgeport and Fairfield. Gov. Ned Lamont stepped into the issue first urging UI to sit down with municipal officials and negotiate, which UI refused, and then publicly supported the siting council rejecting UI’s plan. “We are stunned by the change in the Siting Council’s decision today with no explanation,” said UI’s Fliotsos said after the siting council’s vote.
United Illuminating Moves to Uncover Possible Texting Before State Regulators Flipped on Power Lines
