{"id":14774,"date":"2025-10-24T10:38:24","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T10:38:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/14774\/"},"modified":"2025-10-24T10:38:24","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T10:38:24","slug":"raritan-bay-pipeline-why-staten-islanders-are-fighting-the-trump-backed-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/14774\/","title":{"rendered":"Raritan Bay pipeline: Why Staten Islanders are fighting the Trump-backed project"},"content":{"rendered":"

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 Several dozen protesters gathered on the steps of Borough Hall in St. George Thursday evening to oppose the Williams Northeast Supply Enhancement pipeline \u2014 a project they say would raise utility bills while threatening Raritan Bay\u2019s fragile environment.<\/p>\n

Representatives from several organizations attended the rally, including New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), Food and Water Watch, New York Communities for Change and the Climate Revolution Action Network. <\/p>\n

The rally reflected growing local resistance to the proposed pipeline, which has drawn bipartisan opposition from Staten Island leaders. <\/p>\n

\"PipelineStaten Island residents and community groups gathered on the steps of Borough Hall to urge Governor Hochul to reject the proposed Williams Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) fracked gas pipeline on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025.(Advance\/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod)<\/p>\n

The project would run 23.5 miles under Raritan Bay from New Jersey to Rockaway, where it would connect with National Grid\u2019s distribution system. Supporters say it would strengthen New York\u2019s supply of fracked natural gas from Pennsylvania, but opponents argue Staten Islanders would shoulder the risks and costs without seeing any benefits<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cStaten Islanders are forced to front the cost of this project even though we won\u2019t directly receive any of the gas,\u201d said Daniel Baer, chair of the NYPIRG board of directors at the College of Staten Island, who emceed the rally. \u201cThis is a flat-out dangerous, expensive, and just a stupid deal for Staten Islanders.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to critics, Staten Island customers would face a 3.5% increase in National Grid bills to help pay for the project \u2014 despite receiving none of the added gas supply. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has already rejected the proposal three times<\/a> for failing to meet clean water standards.<\/p>\n

Borough President Vito Fossella, who met with National Grid representatives in August, has also voiced strong opposition<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\"PipelineStaten Island residents and community groups gathered on the steps of Borough Hall to urge Gov. Kathy Hochul to reject the proposed Williams Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) fracked gas pipeline on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025.(Advance\/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod)<\/p>\n

\u201cLike many who grew up in either South or Midland Beach, or along the South Shore, we have seen the tremendous gains and improvements to the Raritan Bay,\u2019’ he said. \u201dWhere once, if you went into the water, Lord knows what you came out with, today there is vibrant marine life and cleaner waterways.\u201d<\/p>\n

Environmental advocates echoed those concerns. Jack Bolembach, of Protectors of Pine Oak Woods, warned of potential leaks and mechanical failures, calling the project \u201ctoo risky.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"PipelineStaten Island residents and community groups gathered on the steps of Borough Hall to urge Gov. Kathy Hochul to reject the proposed Williams Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) fracked gas pipeline on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025.(Advance\/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod)<\/p>\n

He pointed to the bay\u2019s ecological recovery,<\/a> noting, \u201cWe have whales, porpoises, egrets, ospreys and bald eagles \u2014 wildlife that hasn\u2019t been here in over 100 years. The Department of Environmental Conservation claims the water is as clean now as it was just after the Civil War.\u201d<\/p>\n

For some protesters, the issue is deeply personal. Rachel, a Hurricane Sandy survivor, shared that her daughters still suffer from PTSD and respiratory seizures following the storm. She warned that the pipeline could bring similar devastation to Staten Island families.<\/p>\n

\"PipelineStaten Island residents and community groups gathered on the steps of Borough Hall to urge Gov. Kathy Hochul to reject the proposed Williams Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) fracked gas pipeline on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025.(Advance\/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod)<\/p>\n

Others highlighted broader environmental and social impacts. Cecilia Ellis, policy and communications manager for NYPIRG, said the issue resonates strongly with college students. \u201cIt really boils down to clean water and the cost of living,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n

\u201cCollege students are very aware of how expensive it is to live in New York City \u2014 and they know how important the coast and clean water are to Staten Island,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Some in attendance framed the issue in global terms. Sally Jones, of Peace Action Staten Island, connected the pipeline fight to global issues, saying: \u201cThe reliance on fossil fuels is bad for the planet. And what is bad for the planet is bad for peace and causes conflict and more wars.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"PipelineStaten Island residents and community groups gathered on the steps of Borough Hall to urge Gov. Kathy Hochul to reject the proposed Williams Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) fracked gas pipeline on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025.(Advance\/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod)<\/p>\n

Ben Jovec, executive director of the Climate Revolution Action Network, called on Gov. Kathy Hochul and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy to \u201cstand up to Donald Trump, stand up to big oil and say no new pipelines.\u201d <\/p>\n

Since returning to office, Trump has pushed to revive the Northeast Supply Enhancement project, along with another upstate natural gas pipeline.<\/p>\n

Hochul has not taken a concrete position on the project, but expressed an openness to fossil fuels through a spokesperson. She now has until the end of the year to decide whether to allow plans for the project to proceed. <\/p>\n

\"PipelineStaten Island residents and community groups gathered on the steps of Borough Hall to urge Gov. Kathy Hochul to reject the proposed Williams Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) fracked gas pipeline on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025.(Advance\/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod)\"PipelineStaten Island residents and community groups gathered on the steps of Borough Hall to urge Gov. Kathy Hochul to reject the proposed Williams Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) fracked gas pipeline on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025.(Advance\/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod)\"PipelineStaten Island residents and community groups gathered on the steps of Borough Hall to urge Gov. Kathy Hochul to reject the proposed Williams Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) fracked gas pipeline on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025.(Advance\/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod)\"PipelineStaten Island residents and community groups gathered on the steps of Borough Hall to urge Gov. Kathy Hochul to reject the proposed Williams Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) fracked gas pipeline on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025.(Advance\/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod)<\/p>\n

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