New York Pipeline Approval Nears Amidst Controversy Surrounding Alleged Trump Deal with Critics
The Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) gas pipeline project in New York is currently under review, moving towards potential approval. The pipeline, if approved, would connect to an existing pipe just south of the Rockaways, adding a new link in a network that spans from Texas to Long Island.
The project, which could be the biggest gas pipeline approved in New York in at least a decade, has sparked controversy. Critics, including the national consumer advocacy group Public Citizen, have lodged a formal protest against the pipeline, accusing the Trump administration of an "illicit shakedown" to allow the pipeline to proceed.
The public comment period for NESE ended on August 16, 2022. However, the DEC (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation) extended the comment period by two weeks after more than 100 groups sent a letter in protest, but did not add any hearings. The DEC's review of NESE in 2019 included a 45-day comment period and two public hearings.
Regulatory bodies such as the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), NOAA Fisheries, and related federal agencies are actively involved in the permitting process. The DEP is reviewing permit applications, FERC is ensuring state water quality certification under the Clean Water Act, and NOAA Fisheries is soliciting public comments on incidental harassment authorization requests concerning marine mammals affected by the pipeline work.
Reports suggest that the project gained renewed momentum after talks between Governor Kathy Hochul and former President Donald Trump in May 2022. However, no official government records or regulatory filings have publicly disclosed a deal or agreement between Hochul and Trump on the NESE project approval.
The White House has not addressed the specifics of the alleged deal between the President and the Governor. Tyson Slocum, director of Public Citizen's energy program, claimed that the truncated public comment period provides evidence that Hochul is keeping up her end of a corrupt bargain. In response, Hochul's energy and environment spokesperson stated that the Governor is committed to working with all parties on new energy projects that meet New York law.
The NESE project is a proposed 37-mile gas pipeline from New Jersey to New York, and Williams, the energy company, revealed it was reapplying for approval from New York regulators for NESE and the Constitution Pipeline project. According to application documents, Williams plans to start construction on NESE as soon as this fall.
As the trial for New York's Landmark Climate Law continues, the fate of the NESE pipeline project remains uncertain. Kim Fraczek, director of the climate group Sane Energy Project, expressed hope that Hochul will ultimately block the pipeline. Colin Kinniburgh, during the trial, stated that the short public comment period for NESE is outrageous, and the public has been denied its rights due to the alleged deal between the President and the Governor.
In summary, the NESE pipeline project is advancing through regulatory review stages with active environmental permitting and public feedback processes. While there is reporting of informal political discussions involving Hochul and Trump that have influenced the project's renewed movement, no confirmed deal regarding its approval has been substantiated in the available information.
- The NESE gas pipeline project, if approved, may be the biggest in New York in the past decade, connecting to an existing pipe near the Rockaways and adding a new link spanning from Texas to Long Island.
- The project has garnered controversy, with groups like Public Citizen protesting against it, accusing the Trump administration of an illicit shakeddown.
- The DEC extended the public comment period for the NESE pipeline, initially ending on August 16, 2022, after receiving more than 100 letters of protest, but no additional hearings were added.
- Regulatory bodies including FERC, the Pennsylvania DEP, and NOAA Fisheries are actively involved in the permitting process, with FERC ensuring state water quality certification, and NOAA Fisheries soliciting public comments on marine mammal concerns.
- Reports suggest that the project gained renewed momentum following talks between Governor Kathy Hochul and former President Donald Trump, but no formal deals or agreements have been publicly disclosed.
- The fate of the NESE pipeline project is uncertain as the trial for New York's Landmark Climate Law progresses, with climate group Sane Energy Project expressing hope that Governor Hochul will ultimately block the pipeline.
- Williams, the energy company, has reapplied for approval for the NESE and Constitution Pipeline projects, planning to start construction on NESE as early as this fall.
