US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Friday that construction on a proposed natural gas pipeline through New York to New England could begin by year's end.   

Wright, appearing on FOX Business Network's "Mornings with Maria," said he believes it's "highly likely" the Constitution Pipeline, along with other pipelines, will proceed this year.   

The Constitution Pipeline, designed to transport natural gas from Pennsylvania to a hub near Albany, New York, for distribution to New England, was halted in 2020 when New York state denied necessary permits amid environmental opposition.

"It's just such a win, win, win," Wright said. "This will lower costs for people in the New York area, for New England. Not just heating costs, which is a big deal – old houses are heated by fuel oil, natural gas is just so much cheaper, and it burns cleaner."

"No one loses by this, but silly politics of several years ago stopped these in the first go round. But I think it's quite likely these pipelines will be under construction before this year is over," Wright said.

Williams CEO Alan Armstrong, whose company abandoned the project in 2020, indicated last month the project could be revived with regional governors' support.   

Wright's comments precede a meeting between President Donald Trump and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat.

Trump is expected to discuss the pipeline with Hochul, seeking state government support. Speaking to reporters at the Oval Office, Trump said he prefers not to use "extraordinary powers of the federal government to get it done."

Trump also claimed the pipeline would save households in New York and New England thousands of dollars in energy costs.   

"This one pipeline will save, per family, $2,500 just on heating and another $2,500 on everything else," Trump said, emphasizing the pipeline’s significance.