State Senator Edward Meyer
February 14, 2005
Meyer Calls for More Underground Burial of Transmission Lines Through Middlesex, New Haven Counties
Joins with colleagues to propose provisions to current
State Senator Ed Meyer (D-Guilford) joined with colleagues from both sides of the aisle in the House and Senate to call for the continued underground burial of massive 345 k.v. power lines stretching the 69-miles from Middletown to Norwalk. Currently, only a 24-mile portion of the line from Stratford to Norwalk in Fairfield County is slated to be buried underground.
"The transmission line will run from Middletown to Norwalk to help Fairfield County meet its growing need for more power in that area of the state," Sen. Meyer explained. "But the only section of the line that will be buried underground is the section between Stratford and Norwalk in Fairfield County. I don't mind, and I know my colleagues don't mind, helping other areas of the state, but the safety of our residents and the environment in our districts, particularly Durham, should not suffer for it."
KEMA, a consultant hired by the Connecticut Siting Council to study to impact of the transmission line has concluded that an additional 20 miles of the line could be buried underground without compromising the safety and reliability of the power grid.
"A law went into effect last year that requires utilities to bury high-voltage power lines whenever possible," Sen. Meyer said. "It's possible now to bury 20 additional miles of the line. This needs to be addressed before more of this project moves forward." The senator has also questioned why Fairfield County is not generating its own power "rather than negatively impacting to much of the rest of the state."
In addition to calling for an additional 20 miles of the power line be buried underground, Sen. Meyer and his colleagues have also proposed provisions to the current law, should the lines be constructed above ground. Provisions include fair market value compensation if taking property is necessary to expand the right-of-way in Phase II of the project, notwithstanding Connecticut General Statues regarding eminent domain and utility companies. The proposals also include a provision establishing a buffer zone around the above-ground transmission lines which cannot be reduced in size without a public hearing and a majority vote of the legislative body of the affected community.
Sen. Meyer represents the 12th Senatorial District communities of Branford, Durham, Guilford, Killingworth, Madison and North Branford.
|
Senator Meyer’s |
Listing of Senator Meyer’s recent press releases and a Press Kit with official head shots and bio. |
Press Aide Colleen Flanagan |
