ALBANY, New York — Gov. Kathy Hochul faces a major decision on a new pipeline supported by President Donald Trump to bring more natural gas into the New York City region.
The Department of Environmental Conservation declared the application for a water quality permit for the Northeast Supply Enhancement Project complete Wednesday. The pipeline would run 24 miles from New Jersey, across the Raritan Bay, to connect to the pipeline system in the Rockaways.
The state told federal agencies last month it would make a decision on the project by Nov. 30, in compliance with an accelerated timeline under a Trump executive order. The DEC declined to schedule any public hearings at this stage, a move sure to spark pushback from environmental advocates.
Why it matters: The department’s determination that the Williams Co. pipeline application is complete kicks the permitting process into high gear. The project faces staunch opposition from environmental groups, and the decision will test New York’s landmark 2019 climate law, which Hochul’s (D) administration has cited in denying permits for new gas power plants.
