NESE Pipeline Construction Delayed Amid Environmental Concerns
The construction of the NESE natural gas pipeline under Raritan Bay has been delayed. According to Clean Ocean Advocacy, Williams, the company building the pipeline, expected to start digging in July, August, or September this year.
However, no work has started on the project yet. A spokeswoman for Williams declined to comment directly but stated that construction activities will proceed according to applicable permits and project planning.
The NESE pipeline is an extension of the Transco pipeline, which runs from the Gulf of Mexico to New York state. It will carry natural gas fracked from the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania through New Jersey to Queens, where it will provide electricity and home heating for 2.3 million New York City homes.
Clean Ocean Action has filed a lawsuit against the NJ DEP for approving the pipeline, claiming that it will re-suspend over 1 million tons of toxic sediment into Raritan Bay and harm fish and marine life. The group also opposes wind farm development off the Jersey Shore and oil/natural gas drilling.