Congresswoman Velázquez Opposes Proposed Fracked Gas Pipeline Expansion

Strategic Insights -

Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) has submitted a comment letter raising concerns about the revival of the proposed Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) Project, a proposed expansion of the Transco natural gas pipeline. The project aims to carry fracked gas from Pennsylvania through New Jersey and under the NY/NJ Harbor, posing risks to sensitive marine ecosystems and contradicting New York's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019. The proposed pipeline would expose New Yorkers to toxic contaminants, lock the state into decades of fossil fuel dependence, and endanger sensitive marine ecosystems.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Northeast Supply Enhancement (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, contradicting 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 project was previously rejected by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) in 2020 due to concerns about the release of harmful contaminants, including mercury, lead, arsenic, and PCBs, into New York Harbor.
  • The toxins threaten marine life, such as whales, seals, and dolphins, and pose serious human health risks.
  • Congresswoman Velázquez argues that the project would lock New York into decades of fossil fuel dependence and move the state backward in achieving clean energy infrastructure.
  • The project would disproportionately affect environmental justice communities, who are already vulnerable to pollution and climate change impacts.

Statistics:

  • The proposed pipeline would release harmful contaminants, including mercury, lead, arsenic, and PCBs, into New York Harbor.
  • The contaminants pose serious human health risks and threaten marine life, such as whales, seals, and dolphins.
  • The project contradicts 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 project would lock New York into decades of fossil fuel dependence, moving the state backward in achieving clean energy infrastructure.

Sources:

  • Comment letter from Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY)
  • New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)
  • Williams Transco
  • New York Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019