The Trump administration will use national defense authorities to spend more than $40 million on a controversial gas pipeline project that has been blocked by the state of New York for years.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly pressured New York officials to revive the project, known as the Constitution Pipeline, saying that the new pipeline will significantly lower energy costs in the Northeast.
The Department of Energy announced on Monday that it will use Defense Production Act funding to advance the project, supplying up to $42 million to project developers.
“President Trump promised to lower energy costs and reverse the energy emergency he inherited that was caused by 17 years of energy subtraction policies,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said. “That is why he promised to build the Constitution Pipeline – a project that will transform the lives and economic opportunities for Americans across New York and New England. It will also reduce the risk of blackouts during periods of peak electricity demand and make our nation more secure.”
The Constitution Pipeline is a 125-mile natural gas pipeline project that would deliver natural gas from Pennsylvania to New York and New England.
DEAD PIPELINE PROJECTS IN NEW YORK SEEK PERMITS TO RESUME CONSTRUCTION
It first received federal approval in 2014 and was later blocked by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration, with officials denying developer Williams Companies water quality permits required under the Clean Water Act. The project was canceled in 2020.
Under the Trump administration, however, Williams Companies moved quickly to revive its permits to build out the pipeline.
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[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
