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Natural gas

Velazquez Raises Concerns About Revival of Proposed NY Natural Gas Pipeline

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Congresswoman Nydia M. Velazquez (D-NY) has submitted a comment letter to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) expressing concerns about the revival of the proposed Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) Project, a natural gas pipeline that poses risks to sensitive marine ecosystems and conflicts with New York's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019. The project seeks to expand the Transco natural gas pipeline to carry fracked gas from Pennsylvania through New Jersey and under the NY/NJ Harbor, despite previous rejection by the NYSDEC in 2020 due to concerns about the release of toxic contaminants.

Key Takeaways:

  • The NESE project, proposed by Williams Transco, aims to expand the Transco natural gas pipeline to carry fracked gas from Pennsylvania through New Jersey and under the NY/NJ Harbor, posing risks to sensitive marine ecosystems.
  • The project conflicts with New York's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019, which requires a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and an 85% reduction by 2050, from 1990 levels.
  • The NYSDEC previously rejected a key permit for the project in 2020, citing concerns about the release of contaminants such as mercury, lead, arsenic, and PCBs into New York Harbor.
  • Exposure to these toxins threatens marine life such as whales, seals, and dolphins, and also poses serious human health risks.
  • The fracked gas process is destructive to the environment and water tables from the source, and the pipeline would lock New York into decades of fossil fuel dependence.
  • Velazquez urges the NYSDEC to closely evaluate public comments and ensure that New York remains on a path to meet its long-term climate goals and protect environmental justice communities.

Statistics:

  • 7th Congressional District represented by Velazquez
  • 10 years without a fracked gas pipeline approved in New York state, if the NESE project is approved
  • 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and 85% reduction by 2050, from 1990 levels, mandated by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019
  • 2020 - NYSDEC rejected Water Quality Certificate for the pipeline expansion
  • 2019 - Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019 passed, with ambitious climate goals

Sources:

  • Velazquez, N.M. (2022). Velazquez Raises Concerns About Revival of Proposed NY Natural Gas Pipeline. Available at: https://velazquez.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/velazquez-raises-concerns-about-revival-proposed-ny-natural-gas
  • New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. (2020). Water Quality Certificate for the Northeast Supply Enhancement Project. Available at: [no public link provided]

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