The Trump administration is trying to expand natural gas supply flow throughout the Northeast using interstate pipelines — a goal that’s been stymied in the past by fierce local opposition and Democratic state and local governments.

But on Thursday, with hopes of getting federal support from the Trump White House, an energy company announced it wants a second shot at building natural gas pipelines spanning hundreds of miles across the Empire State.

The goal? Delivering reliable energy to the Northeast.

President Donald Trump discussed pipeline projects with Gov. Kathy Hochul recently, according to sources familiar with the conversations.

NY1 asked Gov. Kathy Hochul where she stood on Thursday.

“My message is what I told the President, which is that I will make sure that any applicant for a pipeline or any energy project follows all state, local and federal laws,” she said during a groundbreaking for a new Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown.

“That being said, we can look at this expansively and also consider the benefits at a time when energy prices are through the roof and families in every corner of our state are suffering from high bills for groceries and utilities,” she continued.

Hochul’s openness appears to have encouraged the Oklahoma-based energy company, Williams. Officials for Williams told NY1 they filed a petition with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to revive its Northeast Supply Enhancement Project that would run beneath New York harbor to New Jersey.

Williams is also in talks to construct the Constitution Pipeline, connecting upstate New York to Pennsylvania.

“The NESE and Constitution projects are essential to address persistent natural gas supply constraints in the Northeast, constraints that have led to higher energy costs for consumers and increased reliance on higher-emission fuels like fuel oil,” a spokesperson for Williams told NY1.

“I have to look at this in a different lens and will continue being committed to our climate goals. I believe in them, but also the realization that we need to be more open-minded and expansive, but they will have to follow our laws and they know that. I was very clear on this,” Hochul said.

Environmental advocates say Hochul should deny the new requests.

“These two ill-considered pipelines are exhibit A in what we should not be doing if we want clean water and healthy communities in New York,” Mark Izeman, a senior strategist at the Natural Resources Defense Council, said.

That’s what happened to the same two projects in the past — especially as former governor turned mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo ranked among the chief opponents.

“Last time around, both of these pipelines met stiff and deep opposition, and that will happen once again. And both New York and New Jersey rejected these pipelines over threats to water quality,” Izeman said.

New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation also refused to file necessary water permits, and in 2020, the state’s strict climate law was invoked to kill the Northeast Supply Enhancement Project.
But this time could be different, according to Gary LaBarbera, president of the Building and Construction Trades Council.

“I think all things should be considered, and you know when you’re talking about gas pipelines, that’s more good union jobs. But I think you have to have an all of the above approach,” LaBarbera said.

Construction, however, could still be months away.

Should the projects gain federal approval, National Grid would need to change its long-term energy plan, after which the Department of Public Service would conduct a review of the application.