Connecticut

Study: Resource scarcity, bureaucracy barriers to natural gas use

Published

2 months ago

November 10, 2025

Study: Resource scarcity, bureaucracy barriers to natural gas use

Last week, the Connecticut Office of Legislative Research published a report about the hurdles to expanding natural gas use in Connecticut.

“There are obstacles to increasing Connecticut’s natural gas supply at each stage of the supply chain,” the report, which is authored by Senior Legislative Attorney Jessica Schaeffer-Helmecki, states. “The largest obstacle to increasing natural gas production is the fact that, due to Connecticut’s geology, it has minimal natural gas resources that are highly unlikely to be developed. The New England region is also geologically unable to store natural gas underground for use during periods of peak demand.”

Schaeffer-Helmecki found that, because of the limited natural gas resources in Connecticut, the state would have to rely on interstate pipelines to expand its natural gas use. This would require navigating multiple federal and state agencies, which is difficult, both because of the bureaucratic process and changing regulations. It also might require seizing land through eminent domain, which is another protracted process that would have to go through courts. Finally, Schaeffer-Helmecki predicts both public pushback and difficulty securing a customer base, meaning future projects may not be financially viable.

There are currently three pipelines that carry natural gas to Connecticut: the Algonquin Gas Transmission, which originates in New Jersey, the Iroquois Gas Transmission System, which originates in northern New York, and the Tennessee Gas Transmission, which draws natural gas from multiple places in the Gulf of America. Additionally, there is a proposed pipeline called the Constitution, which would run 125 miles from New York to Pennsylvania.

“Local distribution company (LDC; e.g., CT Natural Gas or Eversource) demand can be difficult to predict,” Schaeffer-Helmecki’s report states. “The largest natural gas takers (electric generators) typically do not enter into long term capacity agreements.”

Despite this, demand for natural gas in Connecticut is growing, especially in the winter, according to an S&P Global study that was published earlier this month.

This study identified some of the same obstacles that Schaeffer-Helmecki’s report did, including limited resources in the region and minimal construction.

“In the past, Connecticut created an initiative aimed at encouraging natural gas transmission pipeline companies to increase their capacity into the state and region by limiting some of the financial risk of the expansion,” Schaeffer-Helmecki’s report states. “However, the multi-state procurement process did not occur once a court overruled Massachusetts’ participation in it, and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) cancelled the customer conversion program in 2022 finding, among other things, an insufficient number of new customers enrolled in the program to justify the level of ratepayer subsidies that were needed to continue it.”

This S&P Global study found that, if the barriers to constructing the Constitution can be overcome, the pipeline would save ratepayers in the region a net $8.5 billion in its first 15 years of use. It would also generate an additional $8.5 billion in revenue for businesses in Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, and Massachusetts during that time period.

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Connecticut

State opens investigation into former New Haven police chief amid stolen money allegations

Published

2 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

State opens investigation into former New Haven police chief amid stolen money allegations

Connecticut State Police and the Chief State’s Attorney have opened an investigation into former New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobsen and allegations that he misused public funds.

The City of New Haven reported the allegations to State’s Attorney John Doyle on Monday.

New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said Monday Jacobson admitted to stealing money from a fund used by the New Haven Police Department to pay for an support its confidential informant program.

Several officers flagged irregularities in the account and notified the three assistant chiefs in the department, according to Elicker. It was then that the assistant chiefs confronted Jacobson on Monday morning.

Elicker said after being confronted, Jacobson admitted to taking the funds. The assistant chiefs then notified Chief Administrative Officer Justin McCarthy, who then notified Elicker.

Jacobson was called in for a meeting with Elicker, where he was to be placed on administrative leave. Elicker said that before the meeting, Jacobson handed in his paperwork to retire, effective immediately.

The mayor was unable to share additional details on how much money was reportedly taken or for how long due to the ongoing investigation.

Assistant Chief David Zannelli has been appointed as the acting police chief.

State police will conduct the investigation and Chief State’s Attorney Patrick Griffin has appointed New Britain Judicial District State’s Attorney Christian Watson to oversee the investigation to avoid any potential conflicts of interest.

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Connecticut

Made in Connecticut: Rochambeau Memorial Monument

Published

14 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Made in Connecticut: Rochambeau Memorial Monument

This year, the U.S. celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The French were instrumental in our fight for freedom, and their march through Connecticut is being memorialized in a new sculpture. News 12 met with the artist in this week’s Made in Connecticut.

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Connecticut

Hibachi Grill Supreme Buffet In South Plainfield Offers Endless Delicious Options

Published

1 day ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

Hibachi Grill Supreme Buffet In South Plainfield Offers Endless Delicious Options

The Greater Danbury area isn’t exactly known as a buffet hotspot, but if you’re willing to venture beyond your zip code, the state delivers some awe-inspiring all-you-can-eat experiences. A recent “Only In Your State” feature crowned one buffet as the best in Connecticut — and that raised a very local question: Do any buffets near Danbury compare?

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The Top 5 Buffets in Connecticut

Topping the statewide list is the Pacific Buffet & Grill in Wallingford, celebrated by Only In Your State as Connecticut’s best. This place is the gold standard, known for its huge seafood selection, sushi bar, hibachi grill, and sheer variety. Crab legs, shrimp, steak, noodles — it’s all here, and it’s why people happily drive across the state for it.

Other standout buffets earning consistent praise include Osaka Hibachi Buffet in Stratford, loved for its cleanliness and sushi options, and Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet in South Plainfield, which boasts hundreds of rotating items and a popular cook-to-order hibachi station. Rounding out the top five are Imperial China Buffet in Watertown a dependable classic, and Royal Buffet Sushi and Grill in New Milford, which is especially important for Greater Danbury diners.

So… What About Buffets Near Danbury?

Here’s the honest truth: Danbury doesn’t have a Pacific-level buffet. But there are a couple of respectable local options. Grand Century Buffet at 1 Padanaram Road remains the city’s most familiar buffet, offering a wide selection at reasonable prices. It’s not flashy, but it gets the job done.

Meanwhile, Agogo Asian & Sushi Buffet, 15-19 Backus Ave., has earned strong reviews for quality — especially sushi — even if the buffet itself is smaller than the state’s heavy hitters.

The Bottom Line

If you’re chasing Connecticut’s best buffet, it’s worth the drive. But if you’re staying local, New Milford and Danbury still offer solid options that satisfy the all-you-can-eat craving without a road trip.