Conn. regulators find fault with Malloy energy plan

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut's utilities regulators say Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's plan to reshape state energy policy with an emphasis on natural gas could be costly to ratepayers and in some cases fails to consider costs when evaluating investments.

The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority said in a March 4 letter to Energy Commissioner Dan Esty and key lawmakers that the estimated cost would be $2 billion or more to connect as many as 300,000 homes and businesses to natural gas lines as called for by Malloy's plan.

It said Connecticut doesn't have enough construction crews to do the work.

Dennis Schain, spokesman for the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, says the analysis is "very wide of the mark" and that the proposal will result in cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy.