N.Y. Democrats Urge New York Regulators to Reject Williams’ NESE Gas Pipeline Project
New York lawmakers are urging state regulators to reject Williams’ Northeast Supply Enhancement gas pipeline, citing environmental and safety concerns as the project faces renewed scrutiny from the NYSDEC.
(P&GJ) — A group of New York congressional representatives, led by Reps. Jerrold Nadler (NY-12) and Dan Goldman (NY-10), has urged the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) to deny permits for Williams’ Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) Project, a proposed 23.5-mile subsea natural gas pipeline extending through waters near Staten Island and the Rockaways.
In a joint letter, 12 members of Congress warned that the pipeline could harm marine ecosystems, threaten public health, and undermine the state’s climate goals by locking New York into long-term fossil fuel use.
“This project, which would bury 17 miles of fracked gas pipeline under the ocean floor in ecologically sensitive waters near Staten Island and the Rockaway Peninsula, poses significant and far-reaching implications for public health, environmental justice communities, climate goals, and marine ecosystems,” the lawmakers wrote.
The delegation pointed to Williams’ safety record, citing at least ten pipeline explosions or fires since 2008 and prior federal citations for inspection violations. The letter also emphasized that NYSDEC has rejected the project three times, finding that it failed to meet state water-quality standards.
The lawmakers praised Gov. Kathy Hochul for advancing renewable energy initiatives, including offshore wind and the Climate Superfund Act, and said the NESE pipeline conflicts with New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which mandates 70% renewable electricity by 2030.
“A rigorous review process is vital to ensuring that New York continues to lead the nation in protecting public health, addressing climate change, and advancing a clean energy future,” the letter concluded.
The NESE project, first proposed by Williams several years ago, would connect its existing Transco pipeline system in New Jersey to customers in New York City.