Tesei Blasts CT Siting Council Decision On Greenwich Substation

GREENWICH, CT — In a ruling this week by the state Siting Council, Eversource was granted permission to build a new substation on Railroad Avenue in Greenwich, a decision that Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei says the town is looking to appeal.

The Siting Council's decision grants Eversource a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need allowing the utility company to a new open-air substation in central Greenwich, which town officials have fought for years. Eversource's plan is to also install 2.3 miles of 115-kilovolt transmission lines from the Cos Cob substation to the new substation, according to Greenwich officials.

In a prepared statement issued Friday, Tesei expressed disappointment with the ruling.

"The Town is exploring all of its legal options with the intent of filing an appeal," said Tesei. "Several of our key Town department heads and I met with counsel today to review our options."

He added, "We are disappointed that the Siting Council did not take into consideration the arguments presented by the Town, its consultants and legal counsel. We believe the Siting Council failed to recognize that Eversource did not demonstrate a need for this project.

"Eversource was unable to show that the reliability of electric service in Greenwich would be improved by this $100 million expenditure. The ratepayers of the State of Connecticut should not bear the burden of this exorbitant project, which the Town did not ask for and which the State does not need."

Tesei and other Greenwich officials - including Town Planner Katie DeLuca, Department of Public Works Commissioner Amy Siebert and Conservation Director Denise Savageau - said they are also concerned with the design and location of the new substation. The location approved by the Siting Council is at 290 Railroad Ave., the site of the Pet Pantry store, and next door to the Airgas facility. The Siting Council ordered that the new substation be an open-air facility, rather than fully-enclosed, as sought by the Town for safety and security reasons.

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