Ithaca, NY – Assemblymember Anna Kelles is calling on Governor Kathy Hochul and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to once again reject the proposed $1.4 billion Williams Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) pipeline that, after the Governor’s private meeting with President Trump, has been resubmitted for approval by the state at the expense of every New Yorker. This project will raise energy bills, hurt local economies, and put corporate profits ahead of household stability. Forcing families and small businesses to shoulder the costs of an unnecessary fossil fuel project is not economic growth, it is economically irresponsible.

Williams first applied to the DEC for a Water Quality Certification, required under the Clean Water Act in June of 2016. The application was denied in 2018 due to environmental concerns. In 2019, Williams resubmitted a revised proposal that was again denied in May of 2020. The same day it was also denied in New Jersey. The DEC denied the permit because construction would have stirred up toxic sediments (including heavy metals, PCBs, dioxins) contaminating the waters as well as projected increased turbidity and oxygen depletion which could damage water quality and harm marine life. The pipeline route and compressor station expansions would have disrupted sensitive tidal wetlands, coastal habitats, and benthic (seafloor) communities. Impacts to essential fish habitats (winter flounder, striped bass, blue crab, etc.) were also considered unavoidable. Finally, the DEC found Williams had not demonstrated the project was necessary to meet energy demand. Yet this May 2025, Williams introduced the same proposal that had been twice denied with no changes and started the process of seeking state-level permits to fast track its approval.

If approved, National Grid customers will be forced to cover the cost, with estimates of $200 million per year for the next 15 years, further strapping ratepayers with this corporate debt. At a time when utility fees in New York have nearly doubled and shutoffs are at record highs, forcing families to pay for an unnecessary fossil fuel project is unconscionable. As Assemblymember Kelles stated, “the NESE pipeline alone will hike the cost to ratepayers by 3.5%, while destroying the quality of their water, and for some their livelihood”

During the initial proposal process, pipeline advocates and lobbyists claimed that without NESE, New York would face severe gas shortages and economic disruption. That never happened. In fact, demand has grown more slowly than predicted, while energy efficiency upgrades are saving families and businesses money.

The economic justification for a massive new gas pipeline is about corporate profit. It is not the answer if we want to build long term energy independence. It is not the answer if we want to ensure energy affordability for New Yorkers. The only way we will secure affordability and energy independence is by following the law and the scoping plan laid out by the state, including input from government, academic, labor and industry experts. Major investments in renewable energy and grid modernization are already underway locally and across the state. As clear examples, the Public Service Commission recently approved $636 million for 29 clean energy projects expanding capacity for electric vehicles, businesses, and homes. National Grid’s $4 billion “Upstate Upgrade” will rebuild more than 1,000 miles of transmission lines and 45 substations to deliver renewable energy reliably across rural and urban communities.

The environmental risks of NESE carry direct economic consequences. Tourism across New York generates $88 billion in visitor spending and $137 billion in total economic impact annually. The state’s agricultural sector contributes more than $3 billion in GDP each year. Construction would disturb 23.3 miles of seabed, releasing toxic sediments into New York’s waters and harming marine life downstate. These pollutants jeopardize fisheries, tourism, and agriculture across the state. Clean water is not only a public health necessity, it is the foundation of regional economies.

Weakening our natural resources also means higher costs for the states as a whole. Taxpayers will bear the burden of water treatment, lost revenue, and climate related damages if projects like NESE lock us deeper into fossil fuel dependency. Natural environments like wetlands already save billions protecting community infrastructure. One acre can absorb up to 1.5 million in gallons of stormwater and wetlands prevented $625 million in property damage during Superstorm Sandy. Undermining these protections means higher taxes and higher insurance premiums.

The DEC was right to reject this pipeline five years ago. The DEC and Governor Hochul must do so again to protect both New York’s environment and our economic future.