GOP lawmakers criticize New York for halting $500 million pipeline project
In a Dec. 5 letter addressed to Governor Hochul, Republican lawmakers from New York and Pennsylvania expressed strong criticism of New York State's decision to block the Northern Access Pipeline, a $500 million natural gas infrastructure project.
The pipeline, planned by National Fuel Gas Co., would have transported natural gas from Pennsylvania's Marcellus Shale to markets in Western New York, the Midwest, and Canada. The project was projected to create over 1,600 jobs during peak construction and bring significant tax revenue to rural New York counties.
The project was ultimately canceled after nearly a decade of delays, which GOP representatives blame on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The lawmakers argue that the DEC's use of Section 401 of the Clean Water Act to deny permits caused cost overruns and extensive litigation, making the project unviable.
“This action has once again robbed our state of a key opportunity for greater energy security and economic development,” said the letter signed by 11 Republican representatives, including Nicole Malliotakis, Claudia Tenney, and Nick LaLota.
The lawmakers also cited federal approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and cooperation from other states as evidence that New York’s opposition was unwarranted.
Republicans highlighted the passing of H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, which includes provisions to prevent states from broadly interpreting Section 401 of the Clean Water Act to block energy projects. They urged Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration to reconsider its approach to future natural gas infrastructure proposals.
The Northern Access Pipeline cancellation comes amid ongoing debates about balancing environmental concerns with the need for energy independence and job creation.
The letter to Governor Hochul was signed by Representatives Nicole Malliotakis, Dan Meuser, Andrew R. Garbarino, Nick LaLota, John Joyce, Mike Kelly, Claudia Tenney, Glenn "GT" Thompson, Guy Reschenthaler, Michael V. Lawler, and Chris Jacobs.
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