Governor Rell Vetoes Collinsville Dam Bill

Due to Error in Legislative Language

Encourages Lawmakers to Quickly Pass Corrected Version

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that – because of an error in the language of the legislation – she has vetoed a bill that would have authorized the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to reach an agreement with the towns of Avon, Burlington and Canton to build a hydroelectric power plant at the Collinsville Dam.

            Governor Rell said she supports the intent of the bill. But an amendment that attempted to update the bill with the terms of a final agreement between the parties failed to strike the original language – meaning the final version of the legislation had two different and mutually incompatible sets of provisions.

            “Even with the best of intentions, the bill is fundamentally unworkable,” Governor Rell said. “I am encouraging the Legislature – which is still in special session to deal with the pending state budget – to repass this bill in corrected form so that the agreement among the towns and the DEP can move ahead.”