New York Greenlights Williams’ NESE Pipeline Permit as Constitution Project Withdraws

New York regulators approved a key water-quality permit for Williams Cos.’ Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) natural gas pipeline, marking a major reversal after prior rejections. On the same day, the long-stalled Constitution Pipeline project withdrew its permit application.

(Reuters) — New York environmental regulators on Nov. 7 approved a water permit for U.S. energy company Williams Cos' long-delayed and controversial Northeast Supply Enhancement natural gas pipeline project in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

In addition, the company's Constitution gas pipe project from Pennsylvania to New York withdrew its application for permits.

Both projects were controversial in part because they were previously rejected by environmental regulators in New York and canceled by Williams in past years before U.S. President Donald Trump sought their revival after returning to office this year.

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The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) said Constitution Pipeline withdrew its application for permits on Nov. 7, including the required Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification, after the DEC's issuance of three Notices of Incomplete Application for insufficient information.

The DEC said Constitution also failed to take action on the federal level at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the lead agency for interstate pipelines.

DEC’s July 2, August 26, and September 30, 2025, notices detailed the requirements necessary to meet New York's thresholds for an application to be determined complete for public review and comment, and said Constitution Pipeline "did not fulfill these repeated information requests" and on Nov. 7 formally withdrew the application from further consideration.