Eyeing a shift in federal and state politics, energy developer Williams Cos. is reviving construction of two natural gas pipelines from Pennsylvania to New Jersey and New York that were cancelled in 2020 and 2024 after being unable to obtain needed state permits.

The actions on the projects, which have investments totaling about $2
 billion, follow recent discussions between the Trump administration and
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul that related to energy infrastructure in the
 state.

A company spokesperson confirmed to ENR on May 30 that the developer has asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to reinstate the federal permit for the Northeast Supply Enhancement Project, a key 23-mile underwater segment from New Jersey to New York City that would run parallel to its existing Transco pipeline and then connect to it to provide gas for state markets.

The project was canceled in 2024 after years of water quality permit rejections from officials in the two states.

Williams also will restart regulatory filings for work on the 124-mile, 30-in.-dia. Constitution gas line from northeastern Pennsylvania through Schoharie County, N.Y., which the firm canceled in 2020 after about seven years of development. It would connect to two other pipelines—the Iroquois Gas Transmission System and Tennessee Gas Pipeline—to move Marcellus gas from Pennsylvania into New
 York state and New England.

Developer Williams Cos. also will restart permit filings for work on the 124-mile,
30-in.-dia.Constitution pipwiline from northeastern Pennsylvania gas fields  to Schoharie County, N.Y.  where it will connect with other regional carriers Map: Courtesy of Constitution Pipeline Co. LLC

The New York Dept. of Environmental Conservation had declined to approve the project’s water quality permit, claiming work would have had an impact on 251 streams. Williams claimed the action was politically motivated and sued. The firm claimed to have invested more than $350 million in project work before canceling it in 2020.

The projects “are essential to address persistent natural gas supply constraints in the Northeast, constraints that have led to higher energy costs for consumers and increased reliance on higher-emission fuels like fuel oil,” the company said.

In May, the administration agreed to revoke a federal stop-work order for the state’s $5-billion Empire Wind offshore wind project that Hochul, executives of developer Equinor and other federal and state officials had sought. At the time, the governor said she would work with the administration and private entities on other new projects as long as they “meet the legal requirements under state law,” although not expressly identifying the two pipelines or supporting them.

Project opponents, who fought Constitution when originally proposed, are expected to do so again, with more than 200 opponent groups recently asking Hochul and other northeast governors not to allow new gas pipeline construction.
“Governor Hochul must make it absolutely clear that New York will not revive the Williams Constitution or NESE pipelines under any circumstances,” said Laura Shindell, New York state director of Food & Water Watch.

But observers say she may be more open to new energy infrastructure discussion, acknowledging in recent comments the need to “consider the benefits at a time when energy prices are through the roof.” S&P Global found in a recent survey that expanding pipelines could reduce natural gas prices in the Northeast by up to 30%. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont “wants to bring new energy resources into New England to lower costs for ratepayers and is willing to work with federal and regional partners to achieve this goal,” he said in April in a statement to Barron’s.

The Williams spokesperson did not confirm the projects’ contractor selections or procurement status, but the company said the Transco support line would start construction late next year, with a targeted in-service date of third quarter 2027.