Urge FERC to Deny Transco Request for 2nd Extension for NESE
FERC Chairman Willie Phillips, Commisisoners Mark Christie, Allison Clements, and James Danley
IT’S BACK! NESE – Raritan Bay Gas Pipeline Project
Three years ago, thanks to your support, we celebrated the denial of permit applications for the NESE Raritan Bay gas pipeline project by both New York and New Jersey.
Despite no action taken by Transco in the last 3 years, it has now requested the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for a second extension of time for the project.
As you know from our original petition, the NESE project was a money grab with no proven benefits for New York or New Jersey. Unfortunately, Raritan Bay and residents in the surrounding areas will be collateral damage. The project will harm marine life and negatively impact recreational uses of Raritan Bay including diving, kayaking, boating, surfing, and wildlife viewing.
Please sign the petition urging FERC to deny the request for a second extension to Transco. This could effectively kill the project.
Sponsored by
To:
FERC Chairman Willie Phillips, Commisisoners Mark Christie, Allison Clements, and James Danley
From:
[Your Name]
Before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission – Docket No. CP17-101-005
The undersigned respectfully urge the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) to deny the request for a second extension of time to Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC (Transco) for its Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) Project.
In the three years after denials of the necessary permit applications by the New York DEC and New Jersey DEP in May 2020, Transco did not appeal the decisions. Transco also specifically indicated that it would not refile its permit applications at the time and has not done so in the ensuing three years.
Despite the granting of a 2-year extension of time in May 2021 by the Commission, Transco has taken no meaningful action that would demonstrate good faith efforts to meet the deadline to complete construction and make the project available for service.
Transco made no assertion and has not provided any evidence to the Commission to indicate any meaningful progress toward the permit application process in New York and New Jersey. In fact, their decision to not refile the permit applications over a three-year period is prima facie evidence of Transco’s lack of good faith efforts to move forward with the NESE Project.
Lastly, Transco has not indicated any expectation that the necessary permits could be forthcoming any time soon.
Construction deadlines may be extended by the Commission for good cause. Good cause means a project sponsor made good faith efforts to meet its deadline and has the reasonable expectation to meet the deadline.
In this case, Transco has not demonstrated good faith efforts and has no reasonable expectation of meeting the deadline any time soon. There is no “good cause”.
We respectfully urge the Commission to deny Transco’s request for a second extension of time.