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State denies environmental permit for Williams pipeline project for third time

Robert Pelaez
The New York state Department of Environmental Conservation denied the permit for the Williams Pipeline Project for the third time on Friday. (Photo by Tom McCarthy)

Environmental permits for a $1.4 billion multistate natural gas pipeline project were denied by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation on Friday.

According to a letter sent to the Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co., the state had concerns surrounding the “significant water quality impacts from the resuspension of sediments and other contaminants, including mercury and copper, particularly without the use of the discretionary default mixing zone in certain areas,” according to a statement released by the agency.

The project’s developer, Williams Co., said in a statement that it was “disappointed” with the state’s third denial of the project’s environmental permit application since 2017.  Environmental permits for the project were also denied in New Jersey.

“While we continue to believe in the fundamentals of this project, we will not refile in New Jersey or New York at this time,” the statement read. “The decision to pause this important infrastructure project is unfortunate for the region as the design and construction would have generated valuable economic activity in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York and would have directly and indirectly supported more than 3,000 jobs during the construction period.”

According to the state Department of Environmental Conservation, the project would involve installing approximately 17.4 miles worth of natural gas loop pipeline within New York state waters, measuring 26 inches in diameter.  

The project was first proposed by the Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co., or Transco, in 2017. The pipeline would deliver natural gas from Pennsylvania through New Jersey, then underwater through Raritan Bay and Lower New York Bay to about three miles off the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens, where it would connect with existing infrastructure.

The project would provide an additional 14 percent supply of natural gas capacity to National Grid to service customers in Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island.

“We will continue to work with New York State on a final long-term solution, as outlined in the Supplemental Report, to solve for the natural gas capacity issue facing our region,” a spokesperson for National Grid said in a statement.

In May 2019, National Grid told municipalities on Long Island and in New York City that gas permits would be withheld after a natural gas pipeline project was denied by the state.

In September, the steps of the Theodore Roosevelt Legislative Building were flooded with  those who opposed the project and National Grid’s response. 

Environmentalists and representatives from activist groups praised the denial of the environmental permits.

“Stopping this fracked gas project was a necessary step towards achieving the ambitious climate goals established by New York last year, and we applaud Governor Cuomo for standing strong against National Grid’s campaign of lies and deception,” Laura Shindell, New York organizer for Food & Water Watch, said.

“350Brooklyn also thanks the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation whose scientific expertise and seriousness of purpose determined that this project would have had major negative effects on the waters off New York City,” 350Brooklyn member Sara Gronim said. “Their work enabled Governor Cuomo to make a decision that was in the best interest of New Yorkers.”

The Stop the Williams Pipeline Coalition, an organization developed by Food & Water Watch, 350Brooklyn and other activist groups, touted the work of Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Department of Environmental Conservation.

“Governor Cuomo and the DEC have shown strength in stopping the Williams Pipeline and refusing to let one major crisis distract from another,” according to the statement. “The decision proves that Albany gets the bigger picture that connects public with planetary wellbeing and will not be swayed by corporate propaganda that puts profits above the best interests of the people.”

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