State Senator Tony Hwang Calls on CT Siting Council to Dismiss 516R Straw Approval and Require New UI Application Under Public Act 24-144

FAIRFIELD, CT — State Senator Tony Hwang (R–Fairfield) today urged the Connecticut Siting Council (CSC) to reconsider and dismiss its recent straw-vote approval under Docket 516R and require United Illuminating (UI) to submit a new application that complies fully with the transparency and due-process standards of Public Act 24-144.

“This isn’t anti-infrastructure—it’s pro-process, pro-community, and pro-solution,” Senator Hwang said. “The Council’s abrupt reversal—without any new public testimony, fact-finding, or record development—undermines confidence in a body that must be above reproach. We need a lawful reset that restores public trust.”

Why This Matters

• Abrupt reversal: CSC shifted from denial posture to approval with no new evidence on the record. 
• Due process & transparency: Municipalities, abutters, residents, and experts were not heard between votes.

   

• Integrity: Potential ex parte or undisclosed inputs must be ruled out through disclosure.

Timeline at a Glance

• Feb 16, 2024: CSC approves a northern route never presented by UI. 
• Apr 23, 2025: Superior Court finds CSC exceeded authority/violated fairness; remands.

   

• Jun 12, 2025: CSC straw vote 4–2 to deny UI’s south-route application.

   

• Jun 26, 2025: Final vote stayed pending ecology appointment.

   

• Aug 6, 2025: Governor appoints ecology expert; council reconstituted.

   

• Sept 4–5, 2025: CSC reverses in a new straw vote to approve—no new hearings/evidence.

Senator Hwang’s Requests to the CSC

1. Vacate the recent approval posture and dismiss Docket 516R on remand. 
2. Require a fresh UI application under PA 24-144 (full notice; robust alternatives incl. undergrounding; fiscal/community impact; fair abutter participation).

    

3. Hold new hearings in Fairfield, Southport, and Bridgeport; accept updated expert and municipal evidence.

    

4. Publish a written rationale for vote shifts and disclose communications tied to the reversal.

    

5. Pause easement activities until a lawful, transparent proceeding concludes.

Requests to Governor Lamont

• Ensure a fully seated, impartial CSC and direct a procedural review of the reversal. 
• Coordinate DEEP/AG oversight for strict compliance with PA 24-144.

   

• Affirm a reset and encourage UI to reapply with genuine municipal collaboration.

   

• Have CTDOT review National Register of Historic Places applications/nominations of Pequot Library, or any other potentially affected sites that could lose land, buildings, or open space due to monopole installation.

Solution Path (Not Just “No”)

• Underground alternatives: Mandate an independently validated, side-by-side comparison—scope, schedule, property impacts/easements, municipal revenues, environmental & cultural resources, lifecycle O&M, and federal/state funding opportunities. 
• Property & equity: Quantify easements and historic district effects; center Environmental and Equity Justice considerations.

Senator Hwang’s Legislative Role

• Oversight & reform: Pursue oversight hearings, clarifying amendments to PA 24-144 if needed, and independent auditing of utility submissions. 
• Convening stakeholders: Facilitate a municipal–state–utility working group to craft a lawful, community-safe reapplication.

“Dismiss 516R, reset under Public Act 24-144, and let’s do this right—with facts, sunlight, and public trust,” Hwang concluded.