Senator Mario R. Mattera (2nd Senate District) joined Williams Companies and members of the Trump Administration at the long-awaited groundbreaking of the Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) natural gas pipeline at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn.

The event, which marked the end of a saga to have this major piece of infrastructure built, was attended by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.

The Trump Administration was instrumental in finally moving this pipeline forward since it was stopped by the administration of the former Governor Andrew Cuomo.

As the Ranking Republican on the Energy Committee, Senator Mattera has worked diligently to move this project forward: “This pipeline, which has been held hostage by Albany, is more of a lifeline for our residents as it will enable them to finally benefit from the enhanced capacity that this long-awaited resource will provide.  The NESE pipeline will deliver clean natural gas from Pennsylvania into our region creating jobs for our hardworking men and women of the building trades while lowering costs for our ratepayers.  Thanks to President Trump’s team, reality and commonsense have finally been accepted.”

NESE is an expansion of Williams’ existing Transco pipeline system across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. The project will add 400,000 dekatherms per day of capacity.  That is enough energy to serve the equivalent of 2.3 million homes and that will help meet the region’s growing energy demand and ensure grid stability in the Northeast.

“Energy security is national security, and energy affordability drives American prosperity,” said Chad Zamarin, President and CEO of Williams.  “NESE delivers reliable American energy to New York’s grid at a critical time.  By adding new capacity to bring domestically produced natural gas to the grid, we are providing dependable energy for countless homes and businesses at the time they need it most.”

“Breaking ground on the NESE pipeline marks a massive milestone for millions of New Yorkers seeking access to reliable, affordable natural gas.  I am extremely grateful for President Trump’s leadership, along with his National Energy Dominance Council, for getting the permits necessary to allow this project to advance,” added EPA Administrator Zeldin.

The project’s importance is a vital correction to years of regulatory delays.  Residents will finally see the benefits of investment that has been made but roadblocked by politics.

NESE strengthens energy affordability and safety by expanding the Transco system to deliver dependable natural gas during peak winter demand. With all federal and state construction permits secured, NESE remains on track to be in service by the fourth quarter of 2027.

Equally important is the fact that it will benefit the environment by removing Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) trucks that are currently being utilized to transport natural gas.  These trucks, Senator Mattera noted, emit approximately 7 pounds of CO2 per mile and contribute significantly to road wear and the NESE Natural Gas pipeline will remove approximately 60% of them according to the Public Service Commission.  Eliminating this pollution-causing traffic by moving energy through the NESE pipeline is a vital and welcome step toward cleaner, safer roadways.

“This project will create much-needed jobs, make energy more affordable, and protect our environment.  That should be the goal of every project and I am proud that, working alongside the Trump Administration, we will finally see it completed to benefit all of our residents,” concluded Senator Mattera.