We, the undersigned citizens of Fairfield, Southport, and Bridgeport call on the Connecticut Siting Council to reject the proposed United Illuminating (UI) project, which seeks to install new poles and high-voltage electric cables within our community. Instead, we call upon UI to withdraw its application, heed the collective voice of the public, and return with a revised plan that ensures the provision of essential electrical power without causing irreversible harm to our cherished community.

Should this project proceed as proposed, it will trigger profound and irrevocable consequences, affecting our local economy, environment, and overall quality of life. Residents, organizations, and businesses in Southport, Fairfield, and Bridgeport will bear the brunt of this impact.

Our community takes immense pride in its natural beauty and historical significance, both of which have been preserved and protected with unwavering dedication over the years, going as far back to the late 19th century. We are committed to serving as good stewards of these resources for generations to come. UI’s proposal represents an intrusion and costly disruption that we cannot accept. We refuse to stand idly by as some of Connecticut's most treasured historical assets are permanently scarred at the behest of a for-profit company.

****Please note that any funding on contributions made to this petition do not go to help fund the legal opposition.****

         IF YOU WISH TO HELP FUND THE LEGAL OPPOSITION                       PLEASE GO TO  http://www.empoweringfairfield.org/

The following undeniable facts underscore the urgency of our plea:

● FACT:  UI intends to construct over 100 new monopoles, with heights varying between 95 and 195 feet, to support electrical transmission lines over a span of 7.3 miles, commencing east of SascoCreek in Southport and culminating at the Congress Street Substation in Bridgeport.

● FACT: To support the new poles, extensive excavation will be required, with foundations reaching depths of 40 feet or more.

● FACT: The new transmission lines will be situated south of the existing power infrastructure, running parallel to the railroad and encroaching onto privately owned properties.

● FACT: UI’s plan will require 19.25 acres of permanent utility easement, taking land rights from residents, businesses, organizations, and municipalities

● FACT: The required easements carry the potential to reclassify certain properties as non-conforming, thereby jeopardizing them with complete seizure, resulting in the loss of homes and businesses. Consequently, our towns face a significant reduction in tax revenue and decreased appeal for potential residents and businesses.

● FACT: The project will widen the transmission corridor, necessitating 6.5 acres of deforestation, with 5.5 acres designated as permanent. This will result in the removal of vast sections of mature trees and vegetation along the Metro-North corridor, eradicating a critical visual and noise buffer that separates our community from the imposing power and train infrastructure. In addition, because trees offer protection against erosion and storm surge, their removal increases our vulnerability to coastal flooding and storm damage.

● FACT: The project will significantly impact treasured cultural resources, traversing, abutting or visually impairing over 20 historic districts and 150 historically / architecturally significant sites in Southport, Fairfield and Bridgeport. 

● FACT: Several poles will be placed in and around wetlands and sites with a history of contamination, thereby posing potential risks to delicate ecosystems, wildlife habitats, water quality, and aquatic life.

● FACT: It is crucial to emphasize that UI's plan has garnered opposition at all levels of government, including federal, state, and local leaders including U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Representative Jim Himes, State Senator Tony Hwang, State Representatives Jennifer Leeper, Cristin McCarthy Vahey, and Sarah Keitt as well as former Fairfield First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick. View their letters Here. In addition, First Selectman Bill Gerber recently submitted his own letter voicing strong opposition to UI's plan.

For all of these reasons, we urge United Illuminating to heed the call of our elected leaders and seek an alternative approach that safeguards our communities from the severe and permanent damage this current proposal would inflict.

To ensure your message is heard loudly and clearly, we encourage all signatories to write letters of concern directly to members of the CT Siting Council and United Illuminating leadership at the addresses below.

Letter counts are watched closely:

● CT Siting Council  sitingcouncil@ct.gov
● Frank Reynolds, President and CEO of United Illuminating: 
franklyn.reynolds@avangrid.com
● UI Communications: corporatecommunications@avangrid.com

Please visit http://www.empoweringfairfield.org/ to learn more and how you can be involved and keep abreast of this issue.