ABERDEEN, N.J. – Environmental and community groups plan to gather Monday afternoon along the Aberdeen seawall to denounce the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s decision to approve permits for the long-disputed Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) pipeline.
The approval follows similar action by New York regulators, reviving a project once halted over environmental concerns.
Organizers say the rally will demand Governor Phil Murphy reject the permits and reaffirm the state’s commitment to clean energy goals.
Key Points
- The NESE pipeline would expand natural gas delivery from Pennsylvania to New York City through New Jersey waters.
- The DEP’s permit approval has reignited opposition from environmental and community groups.
- Supporters argue the project strengthens energy reliability and meets growing demand; critics say it threatens water quality and climate goals.
A revived project with a long history
The Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) pipeline, proposed by energy giant Williams Companies, is a 37-mile natural gas expansion of the existing Transco pipeline system. It would run from Old Bridge, New Jersey, through Raritan Bay and Lower New York Bay, delivering gas to the National Grid system in New York City.
Originally denied permits by both New Jersey and New York in 2019 and 2020, the project was deemed environmentally harmful and unnecessary at the time. The latest permit approval reverses that earlier stance, citing updated energy projections and infrastructure needs.
Energy reliability and demand
Proponents argue that New Jersey’s and New York’s natural gas demand—especially during winter months—requires expanded capacity. The pipeline, they say, would ensure stable supply, prevent service interruptions, and help avoid price spikes during peak heating seasons.
Williams Companies has also emphasized that the pipeline would improve system reliability for millions of customers in the region while supporting industrial and commercial users that still rely heavily on natural gas.
Environmental and economic concerns
Opponents, including New Jersey Advocates Against NESE, argue the project risks damaging marine ecosystems in Raritan Bay by disturbing contaminated sediments and releasing pollutants during underwater construction. They also point to the contradiction between approving a new fossil fuel project and the state’s clean energy goals.
Environmental analysts note that approving NESE could undermine Governor Murphy’s pledge to transition New Jersey to 100% clean energy by 2035. Critics warn that the project would lock the state into decades of fossil fuel dependence, making it harder to meet emissions targets and develop renewable alternatives.
Political pressure and public response
The timing of the DEP’s decision—days after voters backed candidates who ran on strong environmental platforms—has intensified public scrutiny. Organizers of Monday’s rally say the event will spotlight the disconnect between policy commitments and regulatory actions.
Advocates plan to call on Governor Murphy to use his authority to reject the permits, arguing that long-term investment should prioritize wind, solar, and battery storage projects instead of expanding natural gas infrastructure.
The news conference begins at 2 p.m. at Aberdeen Cliffwood Beach Seawall Park in Veteran’s Memorial Park.
