By Richard Kaufman
Eversource will soon break ground on the Greenwich Substation & Line Project. Work will begin on the underground line portion of the project, which includes the installation of a new 115-kilovolt electric transmission line under approximately two miles of local streets through the south side of town.
“Breaking ground on this project is a significant step toward reinforcing the electric system in Greenwich to ensure our customers have reliable power during heat waves, severe cold snaps and other times of high energy use,” said Eversource Vice President of Project Management, Steve Sullivan, in a press release on Monday morning. “More than 28,000 Greenwich customers rely on us to have energy for every moment of their lives and this upgrade project will allow us to meet their energy needs while being sensitive to neighborhood aesthetics.”
The project will also include the construction of a new substation on Railroad Avenue later in 2019. The underground transmission line will connect the new substation to Eversource’s Cos Cob Substation.
“This work will not interrupt electric service to local businesses or residents,” Eversource added in the press release. “As always, Eversource will continue to work closely with community leaders and property owners where work is being done to mitigate any potential impacts. The project is expected to be complete in 2020.”
Residents have strongly opposed construction of the new substation because they say it would negatively impact the aesthetics and the environment, especially in Bruce Park.
The Connecticut Siting Council approved the substation plan in November of 2017. In response, local officials filed an appeal objecting to the ruling in December of 2017.
This past December, Tesei said that settlement talks between Eversource and the town were ongoing.
“It’s in process,” he said at the time. “I think there’s negotiations that have been ongoing with Public Works, town administration and I foresee in the near term those be brought forward, and they will be brought forward, I believe, to this board.”
