BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) \u2014 As rising oil prices weigh on Americans with the ongoing conflict in Iran, a controversial natural gas pipeline project in Brooklyn is moving forward.<\/p>\n
It is backed by the Trump Administration as a solution to both energy costs and national security concerns. The three cabinet secretaries were on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony at Floyd Bennett Field.<\/p>\n
Discover more local reporting on our homepage <\/a><\/p>\n The Northeast Supply Enhancement pipeline, led by energy company Williams, is designed to deliver enough fracked gas to power approximately 2.3 million homes across Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island.<\/p>\n \u201cAn affordability crisis in New York stands alongside the global race for AI,\u201d the Williams CEO said during the event. \u201cThe solution to both challenges is only possible by enhancing energy infrastructure like our Northeast Supply Enhancement project.\u201d<\/p>\n Among those present was Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, a former Long Island Congressman.<\/p>\n \u201cA big win for Long Islanders and New Yorkers,\u201d Zeldin declared.<\/p>\n However, the project continues to face strong opposition from environmental groups. Protesters gathered just outside the groundbreaking ceremony, chanting \u201cgreen jobs now\u201d and voicing concerns about the pipeline\u2019s environmental impact.<\/p>\n Critics argue that construction could disrupt sensitive underwater ecosystems near Staten Island and the Rockaways by dredging up contaminated sediment. There is also the risk of leaks that could threaten clean water supplies.<\/p>\n