Some state lawmakers and environmental groups are urging Governor Kathy Hochul to reject two proposed pipelines for natural gas. Their concerns range from health and climate impacts to billions of dollars that could be added to utility bills.
The Northeast Supply Enhancement pipeline (NESE) and the Constitution pipeline would move around huge volumes of natural gas. One is in the Staten Island, Brooklyn, Long Island area, while the other would run from the Pennsylvania border into Upstate New York.
State Assembly member Anna Kelles says one could foul large swaths of natural lands.
“250 waterways that this would cross over. 700-thousand acres of forestland that would be cut down and disrupted because of the constitution pipeline.”
Their concerns don’t stop there. They estimate $3 billion of construction costs would be added to utility bills. Kelles added most utility customers do not realize a significant portion of energy bills goes to delivery and infrastructure, such as the cost of pipelines such as these.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation is being asked to approve permits for the project, taking into account possible effects. The opponents said Governor Hochul has influence over the decision.
On top of that, Peter Wirth of Climate Change Awareness and Action explained the long-term costs to climate change devastation when more infrastructure is dedicated to fossil fuel burning.
Wirth linked the climate impacts of using natural gas for heating and cooking to a major environmental disaster. “For first time, scientists have observed that the coral reef ecosystem has passed a tipping point.” He explained the reef die-off is considered irreversible and self-perpetuating, “(threatening) a quarter of marine life, food security and coastal protection.”
Further, pipeline opponents say the projects go against the state law passed called the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
“It’s 2025 and we’re still fighting pipelines in New York”, said Onondaga Nation Attorney Joe Heath. “How can this be?”
He added Haudenosaunee Nations have worked to stop other gas drilling and pipeline projects.
“The earth is burning,” warned Heath, who mentioned that Central New York has not suffered climate disasters such as massive floods, wildfires or intense heatwaves yet. “But if we keep burning all these fossil fuels, Central New York will be as inflicted as the rest of the nation.”
Activists note both the Constitution and NESE pipelines were rejected in the past because of environmental concerns. The difference now, they contend, is Hochul’s desire to bow to pressure from the Trump administration favoring fossil fuel development over renewable energy progress.
