DEC Rejects Williams Pipeline Application

May 21st, 2019

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the rejection of a proposed natural gas pipeline that would have enhanced supply to New York City and Long Island. The project proposed by the Williams Company, known as the Northeast Supply Enhancement pipeline, would have constructed a 37 mile-long pipeline that would carry additional natural gas supply through New Jersey and across the Raritan Bay and Lower New York Bay to Queens. National Grid had previously stated that they may need to suspend new natural gas service to their service area in New York City and Long Island if the pipeline was not approved in a timely manner. The pipeline had support from both the business community and labor groups, both of which view it as a necessary component of economic development in the region. The Williams Company has pledged to address the “minor technical” issues raised by DEC and resubmit the project for approval.

In their rejection of the application the DEC said:

“As currently conceived in the application, construction of the NESE pipeline project is projected to result in water quality violations and fails to meet New York State’s rigorous water quality standards. Specifically, construction of the proposed project would result in significant water quality impacts from the re-suspension of sediments and other contaminants, including mercury and copper. In addition, the proposed project would cause impacts to habitats due to the disturbance of shellfish beds and other benthic resources.”

National Grid spokesperson said in a statement:

“We remain cautiously optimistic that the project will proceed on schedule and be in service for Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island customers by the winter of 20/21. Until we have greater certainty around the project’s application approval timeline, we will continue to advise all new commercial and residential applicants that our ability to provide firm gas service is contingent on the timely construction of NESE.”