Time to Support Transco’s Northeast Supply Enhancement Project

| | | | | | | |

In March the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a favorable draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for the Williams Transco Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) pipeline project (see Williams Northeast Supply Enhancement Pipe Gets Favorable DEIS). The project is meant to increase pipeline capacity and flows heading into northeastern markets. In particular, Transco wants to provide more Marcellus natural gas to utility giant National Grid beginning with the 2019-2020 heating season. National Grid operates in New York City, Long Island, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. There are a number of components to the project, but the key component, the heart of the project, is a new 23-mile pipeline from the shore of New Jersey into (on the bottom of) the Raritan Bay–running parallel to the existing Transco pipeline–before connecting to the Transco offshore. This project needs *your* help. Please join MDN in supporting the project by signing this online petition to FERC. A second way you can support the project is by attending and speaking at one of four regional FERC hearings, which begin next week…

The lack of pipeline capacity in the northeast has prevented consumers from fully realizing the advantages of affordable, reliable and clean Marcellus Shale natural gas. The NESE project will help solve this problem by adding much needed pipeline capacity, providing domestically produced and environmentally responsible energy for up to 2.3 million homes and businesses while creating economic development for the regional economy.

NESE is green! The project will:

  • Increase service to National Grid and its customers;
  • Provide reliable supply of economical natural gas;
  • Continue to help NYC meet its clean air goals;
  • Create jobs for local laborers;
  • Drive millions of dollars in new wages;
  • Displace the equivalent of 3,005,797 gallons of heating oil, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 2.4 million tons per year.

These benefits can only be realized if NESE continues to move forward, and for that to happen, WE NEED YOUR HELP. Click the link below to support this critical project.

Add Your Name to the NESE Petition Here

Now is the time to tell the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) that you support NESE. This critical piece of energy infrastructure will increase pipeline capacity and connect abundant, reliable, affordable and clean Marcellus natural gas with markets that desperately need it. This is the first, most critical step in the process. Yes, the project will face an uphill battle with the New York Dept. of Environmental Conservation and the New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection. One step at a time. Everything in order. The first, most important step, is to get FERC to approve the project in a timely manner.

Aside from signing the online petition, you can also share your support by attending and providing comment at a FERC public hearing. Click below to get more details on the hearings, which begin next week:

Wednesday, April 25 – Old Bridge, NJ
Thursday, April 26 – Brooklyn, NY
Wednesday, May 2 – Somerset, NJ
Thursday, May 3 – Quarryville, PA

Thank you for taking action to support this key piece of energy infrastructure; with your help, we can realize the benefits of NESE!

– Jim Willis, MDN Editor