Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | New York | Pipelines | Regulation | Statewide NY | Williams
The Battle for NESE Pipeline in NY – NatGas Shortages Loom
Williams is in the fight of its life to get New York State to approve its Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) project (see Cuomo-Corrupted DEC Denies Permit for Williams NESE Pipe Project). 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 in NY territorial waters–running parallel to the existing Transco pipeline, before connecting to the Transco offshore.
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Williams recently issued its 2018 and 4Q18 update. High on the list of kudos handed out by CEO Alan Armstrong was the Atlantic Sunrise Project, a $3 billion expansion of the Transco Pipeline in 10 northeastern Pennsylvania counties to carry Marcellus gas south, and Williams’ northeast gathering and processing (G&P) pipeline system.
You can feel the excitement and anticipation building. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved the Constitution Pipeline from northeast Pennsylvania into central New York in 2014, more than four years ago. This year, 2019, may be the year construction finally begins–and the year antis who have fought this pipeline every inch of the way finally LOSE.
The light at the end of the tunnel for Constitution Pipeline just got brighter. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to pass the ball back to them so they can reconsider whether or not to overrule New York State’s blockage of a permit for the Constitution. FERC’s action signals they may be ready to rule against NY and allow Constitution to begin construction.
The Sisters of the Corn (our name for the a group of leftist nuns in Lancaster County, PA) asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a case in which they claim their religious freedom has been trampled by Williams running a pipeline (Atlantic Sunrise) across their property. The case came up for consideration with the Supremes and they declined to hear it, meaning it’s the end of the road for the Sisters and the green group backing them.
It seems we owe an apology to Williams for the story we ran earlier this week (see 
It’s no secret that getting a gas pipeline project of any kind approved in New York State is an uphill battle because our governor, Andrew Cuomo, blocks all new pipelines in a bid to keep his left wing supporters happy. An important project from Williams, the Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) which would beef up capacity along the Transco pipeline system going into New York City, is about to get two hearings with the state Dept. of Environmental Conservation.
Utility giant National Grid, which services Long Island (part of New York City) with natural gas service, is threatening New York State that if the state does not approve Williams’ Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) pipeline project by May 15th, they will, as Consolidated Edison has just done in Westchester County, impose a no-new-natural gas customers moratorium for the New York City area. Which would block development of the new $1 billion Belmont Park Arena.
A huge crack of sunshine has just shown through the court system with respect to pipeline projects. A case decided on Jan. 25 in the DC Circuit Court of Appeals which technically has nothing to do with either the Williams Constitution Pipeline project nor the National Fuel Gas Company Northern Access Pipeline project (both being blocked by New York State), may be the one court decision to break open the logjam and allow both projects to begin construction.
Ole Andrew Cuomo (pronounced Coo-moh by many people we know) is facing a classic Catch-22 situation. He has long promoted and earnestly wants a new arena as the home for the New York Islanders hockey team, but unless he allows a new natural gas pipeline under New York bay, he’s not going to get it.