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Delegation says Lake-to-River pipeline study funded in budget negotiations; local officials told next steps follow study
Summary
Legislators said language supporting a Route 11 natural-gas study (Lake-to-River initiative) survived early budget negotiations and that a funded study would be used to scope a pipeline that could extend gas service and spur economic development in Trumbull County.
State representatives and county officials discussed a regional pipeline study during a June 20 meeting in Trumbull County, saying funding for a Lake‑to‑River/Route 11 study was included in the version of the budget they expected to carry forward through negotiations.
Delegation members described the study as the next step to determine technical feasibility, costs and potential funding partners for a pipeline that would run near Route 11, extend natural gas service to underserved areas and support economic development. Representatives said they had coordinated with federal members of the delegation and other counties in the Lake-to-River caucus to secure initial study funding and that federal support could follow once a study establishes project details.
Why it matters: County officials said natural-gas access could expand industrial and residential development in parts of the county that currently lack service. Legislators framed the funded study as the beginning of a multistep process that would quantify costs, identify right-of-way and regulatory needs, and clarify how local, state and federal dollars might combine to build the infrastructure.
Next steps and caveats - Study then construction: Representatives and county staff said the funded study would return an implementation plan and cost estimate; follow-up funding to build any pipeline would be a separate step requiring additional legislative or private support. - Regional collaboration: Legislators urged the county to participate in a regional approach with neighboring counties and federal delegation members to increase the chances of getting subsequent funding. - Timeline: Representatives said they were hopeful the study language would remain through final budget negotiations; once a study is complete, legislators expected further work to identify construction-phase funding.
Ending County officials said they view the study as a potential economic-development lever and will coordinate with the Lake-to-River caucus and the county’s consulting team as the budget process moves forward.
