State Siting Council denies UI monopole proposal in Fairfield

The ruling prevents the project from moving forward as proposed and closes the current review.

Why it matters:
The decision determines how large-scale electric transmission infrastructure may be pursued in Fairfield and sets the immediate limits on this proposal.

The Connecticut Siting Council has denied United Illuminating’s application to construct monopole transmission structures in Fairfield, preventing the project from proceeding as filed.

The Council’s decision applies to UI’s proposal as submitted. With the denial, UI may not build the monopoles under the current application, and the Council’s review of that filing is complete.

The ruling addresses only the specific proposal before the Council. It does not approve construction, nor does it authorize alternative designs or locations. Any future transmission work in Fairfield would require a new or revised application and a separate review process.

The application had been subject to state-level siting review, which governs certain utility infrastructure projects regardless of local zoning authority. The Council’s authority includes approving, denying, or modifying applications based on statutory criteria.

For Fairfield, the immediate consequence is clear: the monopole structures proposed by UI will not be constructed under this application. No construction related to the denied proposal may proceed.

Any next steps by the utility would occur through a new filing and a new docket, rather than continuation of the denied application.

Sources: Town of Fairfield; local reporting.