Eversource To Continue Efforts For Greenwich Power Line Project: Update

This story was updated at 11:44 a.m. on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, to add a comment from Eversource:

GREENWICH, CT — The Connecticut Department of Transportation has decided not to issue a license that would have allowed Eversource to install overhead transmission lines along the Metro-North Railroad corridor, announced Greenwich First Selectman Peter J. Tesei Tuesday.

"I am satisfied that state officials have decided that installation of electric transmission lines - the need for which has yet to be fully documented, would be disruptive to the continued daily operation of one of the region’s busiest transit hubs," said Tesei in a statement.

Because of the State’s licensure denial, Eversource has withdrawn the alternative plan.

"Due to new information that recently came to light, we have withdrawn our overhead/underground option for the Greenwich Substation & Line Project proposal currently before the Connecticut Siting Council," wrote Eversource spokesperson Frank J. Poirot in a statement to Patch. "The option to build an all underground transmission line through Bruce Park, connecting to the Cos Cob Sub Station with a new substation on Railroad Avenue is still before the siting council. We remain committed to build a project that will address the critical improvements needed to the electric system in Greenwich."

Tesei and United States Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), as well as Greenwich state legislators, especially state Sen. L. Scott Frantz and state Rep. Livvy Floren, worked to convince ConnDOT not to issue the license. He thanked the legislators for their intervention and support.

Greenwich officials have been researching various alternatives to the plan announced by Eversource in May that it would seek permission from the Connecticut Siting Council to install overhead wires along the Metro-North corridor from Cos Cob to central Greenwich where it would then build a new substation on Railroad Avenue. The utility’s proposal follows last year’s denial by the Siting Council of a similar plan that the Town opposed because need and costs were not justified by the utility.

However, Eversource has said it will try again to gain approval for the substation.

Hundreds, if not thousands of collective hours, were spent by various Town officials, lawyers and volunteer experts reviewing Eversource documents, visiting with residents and trying to develop an alternative plan, according to Tesei.

"I look forward to the Town’s team of federal, state and local officials, experts and residents, continuing our collaboration to help Eversource develop an environmentally sensitive and financially acceptable plan that will address not only the current, but the future utility needs of Greenwich’s residents and its businesses," said Tesei.

He added, "We will continue to be vigilant as to Eversource's proposals to ensure they are putting the interest of Greenwich residents first."

The Connecticut Siting Council’s public hearing on the Eversource request for approval of an alternate modified plan will be held as scheduled – at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 13, 2017 in the Cole Auditorium of Greenwich Library, 101 West Putnam Ave.

More information regarding the plans can be found on the Connecticut Siting Council’s website.