Senator Hwang Stands with Communities, Supports Transparency and Fairness in Utility Siting

HARTFORD, CT – Today at the State Capitol, State Senator Tony Hwang (R—Fairfield) joined residents, faith and community leaders from Southport, Fairfield, and Bridgeport, alongside the Sasco Creek Neighbors Environmental Trust, in a unified call for fairness, transparency, and community, environmental and social equity in the siting of utility infrastructure. The event marked a critical moment in the fight against a proposed project that has drawn widespread concern for its historical, environmental and community impact.

Governor Ned Lamont attended the press conference and publicly committed to delaying the Connecticut Siting Council’s decision slated for September 18th, stating that “we are not going to let you rush into a bad decision…I want to delay”. His remarks were met with appreciation from both lawmakers and residents, who have long called for more transparent and inclusive processes.

Senator Hwang welcomed the Governor’s leadership and emphasized the importance of collaboration across communities and political lines. “Governor Lamont’s willingness to listen and act is a crucial step toward a better, more equitable outcome,” Hwang said. “This isn’t just about one neighborhood, it’s about every community having the right to be heard and respected.”

He also expressed gratitude to Representative Steve Stafstrom and Senator Herron Gaston of Bridgeport for their attendance, partnership and advocacy. “I’m incredibly thankful to Rep. Stafstrom and Sen. Gaston for standing shoulder to shoulder as state legislators with us,” Hwang noted. “Their voices and leadership on behalf of Bridgeport residents demonstrate that this issue transcends party or geography, it’s about respecting and protecting people and places.”

The effort builds on the recent passage of Public Act 24-144, a new law championed by legislators and advocates to improve transparency and public involvement in facility siting decisions. Senator Hwang pointed to the legislation as a key tool in preventing future decisions from being made without proper public input.

“Public Act 24-144 gives us what we need: stronger notice requirements, deeper transparency, and real community involvement. And we will use it, because every step forward must be taken in the light, with respect for the land, the people, and our shared future,” Senator Hwang concluded.
Senator Hwang reaffirmed his commitment to working alongside residents, local leaders, and state officials to ensure that any future projects are driven by fairness, equity, and environmental responsibility.

As quoted in CT Insider, Governor Lamont stated “We’re here to say we’re not going to let you rush into a bad decision. Give us time to come up with a better, credible alternative. We’ve had meetings on a regular basis. We just got off the phone with UI, the billion-dollar gorilla, and two things I said, ‘I want a delay. I want the Siting Council to give us time to make sure we exhaust all other alternatives and see what’s a better way to do this.”

“And we were going to be very clear with the Siting Council, this is what we want to see happen; give us extra time to come up with an alternative. We did talk to United Illuminating. They said they would not oppose the delay,” the governor said.

“Now it is our job to sit down. We’ll be sitting down yet again on Friday to make sure we come up with alternatives. What you can do in terms of undergrounding, rerouting and other ways we can do as little disruption to your community as we possibly can and still take care of the people,” he said.