STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — New Yorkers in the five boroughs and Long Island will still need to subsidize the Northeast Supply Enhancement pipeline’s construction despite new legislation signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
On December 19, Hochul shut down the 100-foot rule, which funded gas pipeline expansions through “ratepayer-funded subsidies,” according to the New York State Senate.
The NESE pipeline, approved in November by state agencies, will be paid for by New Yorkers within New York City and Long Island via a 3.5% increase to National Grid bills despite this new legislation.
The pipeline will feature a 17.4-mile underwater segment through the Raritan and Lower New York bays, passing Staten Island’s shores.
National Grid was not thrilled by the change in legislation.
“We are disappointed that the 100‑foot rule has been repealed. This law could make it more expensive for customers to convert from oil to natural gas – an efficient way of reducing emissions and saving energy costs,” said a National Grid spokesperson.
“We encourage the administration and the legislature to use this one-year window to adopt practical protections for customers such as carve‑outs for income-eligible customers and for oil‑to‑gas conversions—so families have affordable access to cleaner, firm, reliable heat,” the spokesperson added.
National Grid is a steadfast supporter of the pipeline, however, pointing to “the possibility for $2.5 billion in energy savings for New York’s downstate residents, like Staten Islanders, over the next 15 years,” a spokesperson said previously.
National Grid touted the news that 96 organizations, representing 1.7 million people, signed on in approval for the pipeline.
But then you have 130 elected officials from across the state voicing their own issues with the project in a letter penned to Gov. Kathy Hochul.
This is in addition to a slew of environmental groups and others working to raise awareness about the potential environmental impact of the pipeline.
Food & Water Watch’s New York State Director Laura Shindell said the following of the dismantling of the 100-foot rule: “Governor Hochul has finally done the right thing, but only after a litany of horrific climate decisions this year. Her signature on this important legislation will not overshadow the shame of her approval of the 3.2 billion dollar Williams NESE fracked gas pipeline in NYC, nor overshadow the permits she granted to build a Bitcoin-mining fracked gas power plant in the Finger Lakes. It is simultaneously necessary, and woefully inadequate for New Yorker’s health, climate, and wallets.”