Over 200 organizations urge the Governors of nine States to unite against the expansion of gas pipelines in the northeast.
Trump plans to bring back the Constitution Pipeline
When proposed back in 2012, the Constitution Pipeline had four project partners. The principal partner was The Williams Cos., based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Other partners are Duke Energy, Houston-based Cabot Oil and Gas, and Calgary, Alberta-based Alta Gas. Williams had a 41% stake and, in 2019, took a loss of $354 million for the project. The Williams Cos. indicated that its existing pipeline network and planned expansions are better investments than new projects like Constitution that are impacted by an uncertain regulatory framework.
In 2016, NY denied the project a 401 water quality certificate (WQC). Eventually the FERC certificate (CP13-499) was vacated and Williams reported to FERC in 2020 that the project would not move forward. President Trump did not indicate how the pipeline would be authorized or whether Williams Cos. would resume construction. Williams has said the project could be back on the table but only if regional governors are supportive.
New York recently approved a controversial law that creates a climate superfund by taxing oil, natural gas, and coal companies $75 billion to fund climate projects. Governor Hochul is reversing herself on some previous positions, including allowing for more gas to be produced and transported. For example, Hochul approved permits to expand the capacity of the 414-mile Iroquois pipeline to pump more natural gas into New York City and southern Connecticut to maintain adequate supply during cold spells and to avoid freezeouts.
Trump has claimed “[w]e are going to get this done, and once we start construction, we’re looking at anywhere from nine to 12 months… It will bring down the energy prices in New York and in all of New England by 50, 60, 70%.”
Trump indicated that he would meet with state governors to discuss the project’s future, asserting that “most of the permits — almost all of the permits” are already in place. “All of the governors want this to happen, and I think it’s going to happen. It’s now going to happen,” he added.
Trump did not specify how the pipeline would be authorised or whether Williams Cos. would resume construction. Spokespersons for the company did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Quick Facts:
- Trump made a statement about bringing back the Williams Cos. Constitution Pipeline which would have run from PA to NY while he was signing “Drill-Baby-Drill” energy related executive orders in January:
— Statement during signing press event (YouTube)
— Press about signing statement
Executive Orders:
— Declare Energy Emergency
— Establish National Energy Dominance Council - Biggest lies in his statement:
— They have all the permits already.
They never had the NY 401 Water Quality Certificate, that’s what stopped FERC approval in 2016. They don’t have any permits currently. They no longer have their FERC certificate as it was vacated by 2nd circuit. They would need to start all over again (if they’re going to follow law and regulatory procedure). EOs need congressional approval to remove existing permitting requirements. They need to be approved by more than simple majority because it’s a policy change which would require 60 votes in Senate (again, if they’re going to follow law and regulatory procedure).
— Says “all the governors” want more pipelines, but only name-dropped CT Gov. Lamont.
The CEO of the principal company behind the pipeline said on Tuesday that he isn’t willing to undertake the project even with the president’s blessing, as long as the region’s governors oppose it. But Massachusetts Governor Healey wants no pipelines, saying they don’t have enough customers, and Secretary Tepper says you don’t build a gigantic pipeline for 7 days of insufficient capacity per year. Only Connecticut Governor Lamont supports more pipelines.
— Claims the pipeline would save customers in the Northeast thousands per year
— Claims it will be done within 9 -12 months. - The administration is starting to act on the plan:
— Met with NY Gov. Hochul
A White House meeting on March 14 did not yield “formal agreements or decisions,“ according to Hochul spokesman Jerrel Harvey. However, the conversation was ‘productive’ and ‘we look forward to continuing the dialogue in the coming weeks,’ Harvey told Platts, a part of S&P Global Commodity Insights.”
There is concern over Hochul being willing to make a deal for Penn Station infrastructure projects or the return of congestion pricing, especially after her recent approval of the Iroquois pipeline expansion.
— Met with CT Gov. Lamont
Lamont’s statement on March 4, 2025, after Trump’s Joint Address to Congress. “I remain committed to working on areas where we can find common ground, especially on tackling the high cost of energy, rebuilding our infrastructure…”.
Lamont’s comment after meeting with Trump: “Gov. Ned Lamont the following day indicated he would not necessarily be opposed to the plan, telling CTInsider’s Ken Dixon that “the president and I will never agree about wind power and solar power, nor will we agree about coal and even oil, but perhaps in the area of natural gas and nuclear there are some ways that we can work together to potentially bring down dramatically the prices of electricity in our state and region.” - Biggest dangers of reviving Constitution pipeline:
— More gas coming out of Marcellus to Wright, NY hub. This could make it easier for large pipeline expansions or new pipelines in New England – new source to hook up to. Remember that the NED pipeline would have started from Wright.
— Set very bad precedents if current laws / regulations are ignored and they get away with it.
“Trump Pushes a Controversial Pipeline. CEO Won’t Build It Without State Support.” Avi Salzman and Laura Sanicola, Barrons.com, March 11, 2025
“No deal: Trump, Hochul to continue talks on Constitution pipeline, energy issues”, Tom DiChristopher, S&P Global, March 14, 2025
“Hochul Must Stand Firm Against Trump’s Ludicrous NY Pipeline Plan”, Alex Domb, Food & Water Watch, March 19, 2025
“Governor Lamont Statement on President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress”, March 4, 2025
“Lamont, Key Republican Lawmaker Open To New Gas Pipeline Plan”, Donald Eng, CT News Junkie, March 17, 2025
News
Trump Is Pushing for This Pipeline. He’s in for a Fight.
Barron’s, April 10, 2025
The Constitution pipeline will not solve wintertime energy price hikes
Berkshire Edge, April 5, 2025
The Village of Hastings-on-Hudson Unanimously Rejects Controversial ‘Project Maple’ and Constitution Pipeline
Yonkers Times, March 19, 2025
Trump Threatens Federal Override on NY Pipeline Ahead of Hochul Meeting
By Peter Aitken, Newsweek, Mar 13, 2025
Trump Wants Lower Natural Gas Prices for New Yorkers
By IER, February 26, 2025
Is Reviving Constitution Natural Gas Pipeline Possible? Yes, Says Trump, in Quest for Energy Dominance
By Carolyn Davis on February 20, 2025
Trump Vows to Revive Constitution Pipeline to Lower Energy Prices in Northeast
Pipeline Journal, February 18, 2025
Trump Vows Completion of Constitution Pipeline For New Yorkers
Jennifer A. Dlouhy, Bloomberg News, February 14, 2025
Trump eyes Clean Water Act to fast-track gas pipelines
By Brian Dabbs | January 30, 2025
The Trump administration is angling to use a bedrock water law to build more natural gas pipelines across the United States. It’s a major potential pivot for the half-century-old Clean Water Act, a law prized by environmentalists and grassroots groups and often used to protest pipelines.
But in a flurry of executive orders last week, President Donald Trump declared a national energy emergency, directing the Army Corps of Engineers to use its emergency authority under the law to speed up the construction of pipelines, which cover long distances and often cross waterways.
Environmentalists say Trump is overstepping. Jon Devine, who leads the federal water policy team at the Natural Resources Defense Council, called the Army Corps directive “poorly thought out.”
“It seems to imply that the Army Corps may have some supposed emergency authority to permit oil and gas pipelines and other fossil fuel projects that would harm water bodies,” he said. “But no such authority exists.”
The law requires the Army Corps to sign off on projects that discharge waste into U.S. bodies of water like rivers and wetlands. Until now, the corps’ emergency authorities have been used in targeted scenarios that don’t generate big public fights, according to experts. The emergency authorities the Army Corps uses to comply with the Clean Water Act are sweeping. They include situations that “would result in an unacceptable hazard to life, a significant loss of property, or an immediate, unforeseen, and significant economic hardship if corrective action requiring a permit is not undertaken within a time period less than the normal time.” A new report from the Government Accountability Office shows the corps has used its authority to expedite thousands of permits, including for pipelines. Trump’s directive to the corps tells the agency to use the set of emergency authorities for the Clean Water Act to “the fullest extent possible” to speed up construction of pipelines