US midstream energy giant, Williams, has officially embarked on plans to construct two natural gas pipelines that were previously blocked in New York State on environmental grounds.

The two pipelines, Constitution and Northeast Supply Enhancement, were denied water quality permit by New York State regulator over environmental concerns, resulting in the projects’ delay. 

As a result, Williams abandoned the Constitution pipeline project in 2020, which would stretch over 125 miles, from Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, all the way to Schoharie County, New York. 

Designed to deliver an estimated 650,000 dekatherms of natural gas pipeline capacity, enough to serve the daily gas demands for 3 million homes, the Constitutional pipeline would open a vital energy Corridor to the Northeast. 

The little-known Northeast Supply Enhancement pipeline would run from New Jersey to New York City, with most of its length buried under water. 

According to an article published by the New York Times in late May, the company’s decision to revive the Constitution pipeline plan follows President Trump’s strong support for more energy projects, including gas and oil. 

The company hopes President Trump’s administration will compel states to approve the stalled projects in line with his administration’s push to make the US a global energy powerhouse.

Williams' formal efforts to restart the previously abandoned pipeline projects came a week after Trump administration approved the Empire Wind, a massive wind energy project off the coast of New York and New Jersey, following weeks of lobbying by New York Governor Kathy Hochul. 

Last Thursday, Williams reported that it was in talks with the state officials as it gears up to revive stalled pipeline projects. 

The company also disclosed that it had filed the necessary paperwork with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) seeking reinstatement of permit for the Northeast Supply Enhancement pipeline project with the aim of having it operational by 2027. 

Williams described the pipeline projects as “essential” to addressing the persistent natural gas shortages that have plagued the Northeast, resulting in higher energy costs to consumers and overreliance on high-emission alternatives such as fuel oil.