Velázquez Raises Concerns About Revival of Proposed NY Natural Gas Pipeline

WASHINGTON D.C.- This week, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) submitted a comment letter on behalf of her constituents and environmental justice advocates raising concerns about the revival of the proposed Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) Project, a proposed expansion of the Transco natural gas pipeline.

The NESE project, proposed by Williams Transco, seeks to expand the Transco natural gas pipeline to carry fracked gas from Pennsylvania through New Jersey and under the NY/NJ Harbor. The project poses risks to sensitive marine ecosystems and stands in direct conflict with New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019, which mandates a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and an 85% reduction by 2050, compared to 1990 levels.

The NESE pipeline would endanger sensitive marine ecosystems, expose New Yorkers to toxic contaminants, and lock our state into decades of fossil fuel dependence.  At a moment when we should be investing in clean energy infrastructure, this project moves us backward and places environmental justice communities at greatest risk.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) previously rejected a key permit for the project in 2020 after finding that pipeline construction would likely unearth and release harmful contaminants, including mercury, lead, arsenic, and PCBs, into New York Harbor. These toxins threaten marine life such as whales, seals, and dolphins that have recently begun to return to the city’s waterways and also pose serious human health risks.

“As the federal government doubles down on fossil fuel expansion, states like New York must remain steadfast in defending our environment, protecting public health, and meeting our ambitious climate goals,” Velázquez concluded.

Read the full letter here.