Velazquez raises environmental concerns about gas pipeline

NORTH BROOKLYN — THE PROSPECT OF REVIVING THE EXPANSION OF A CONTROVERSIAL FRACKED-GAS PIPELINE through Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island has drawn protests from elected officials and the public. Congressmember Nydia M. Velázquez, D-7, last week submitted a comment letter to Cheryl A Sandrow of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s Division of Environmental Permits asking her to carefully evaluate the public comments that have been submitted. She raised several concerns about the revival of the proposed Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) Project, an expansion of the Transco natural gas pipeline to carry fracked gas from Pennsylvania through New Jersey and under the NY/NJ Harbor. The project, which the Trump administration supports, poses risks to sensitive marine ecosystems and stands in direct conflict with New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019, which mandates a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and an 85% reduction by 2050.  

“It is critical that states like New York remain steadfast in its commitment to preserving our marine life, water quality, and meeting necessary climate goals,” Velázquez wrote.

 Earlier this month, more than 400 New Yorkers rallied at City Hall Park and marched across the Brooklyn Bridge to protest natural-gas pipeline projects, including NESE.

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