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The Lakes Region in New Hampshire is experiencing a surge in development, with plans for nearly 400 new residences recently approved. However, local officials report a pause on new natural gas connections due to capacity limitations from Liberty Utilities, which serves the area.

This situation poses a significant obstacle to ongoing development, as municipalities including Franklin, Gilford, Laconia, Northfield, and Tilton are affected. Liberty Utilities has indicated that upgrading its infrastructure to meet demand could take five to seven years and cost tens of millions of dollars.

Although the company has initiated the design and engineering phase for potential upgrades, concerns remain regarding the justification of costs and the long timeline for completion. Local officials emphasize the necessity of expanding gas service to support New Hampshire's housing goals and the potential impact on development costs for lower-income residents. Alternatives such as electrification are being considered as potential solutions.