PURA Lifts Fines Against United Illuminating for English Station Cleanup

The decision could delay remediation of the long-abandoned power plant in New Haven.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) has removed financial penalties it previously imposed on United Illuminating for failing to clean up the abandoned English Station power plant in New Haven. The move drew criticism from the state's Attorney General, who said it undermines accountability. However, New Haven's mayor said the city still plans to pursue ownership of the property to move redevelopment forward, potentially through eminent domain if necessary.

Why it matters

The English Station power plant has sat vacant for decades, requiring environmental remediation before the property can be redeveloped. The PURA decision removes a key pressure point that had pushed United Illuminating to address the contamination, potentially delaying the cleanup process. The city sees the site as an opportunity to create new public green space and amenities for the surrounding Fair Haven neighborhood.

The details

In 2023, a judge ordered United Illuminating to pay a $2 million annual penalty for every year the company failed to clean up English Station. PURA has now withdrawn that penalty, saying it will instead reassess the company's compliance during its next rate case. The authority said it wanted to ensure the costs associated with the penalties were not ultimately passed on to utility customers. Despite the setback, New Haven's mayor said the city still plans to pursue ownership of the property to move redevelopment forward, and could use eminent domain if negotiations with the current owner fail.

  • In 2023, a judge ordered United Illuminating to pay a $2 million annual penalty for every year the company failed to clean up English Station.
  • On March 9, 2026, PURA withdrew the $2 million annual penalty against United Illuminating.

The players

PURA

The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, the state agency that regulates public utilities.

United Illuminating

The electric utility company that owns the abandoned English Station power plant in New Haven.

Justin Elicker

The mayor of New Haven, who said the city plans to pursue ownership of the English Station property to move redevelopment forward.

William Tong

The Connecticut Attorney General, who criticized PURA's decision as undermining accountability.

Xavier Reyes

A local resident who passes the English Station site daily and supports replacing the abandoned plant with a park and pool area.

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What they’re saying

“PURA is now turning its back entirely on accountability for UI's repeated failures to remediate dangerous contamination at English Station in New Haven.”

— William Tong, Connecticut Attorney General (NBC Connecticut)

“The reality is, PURA by removing this fine, takes a lot of pressure off of UI because it's a significant fine that UI was going to receive for many years.”

— Justin Elicker, Mayor of New Haven (NBC Connecticut)

“I heard about the water park and pool area. I think that's a lot better than what we have now. It will bring more people to the area.”

— Xavier Reyes (NBC Connecticut)

What’s next

If negotiations with the current owner of the English Station property fail, New Haven's mayor said the city is prepared to pursue eminent domain to take ownership of the site and move redevelopment forward.

The takeaway

The PURA decision to lift fines against United Illuminating for the English Station cleanup raises concerns about accountability, but also opens the door for the city of New Haven to potentially take control of the property and transform it into a new public park and recreation area that could benefit the surrounding community.