[HOUSTON] New York denied a key permit for a US$1 billion Williams Cos. shale gas pipeline, dealing a critical blow to a project that would shuttle fuel to customers in New York City and Long Island.
Construction of new conduits has failed to keep pace with growing demand for the heating and power-plant fuel, leading Consolidated Edison to stop accepting applications for new gas service in New York's Westchester County.Another proposed Williams pipeline, Constitution, remains stalled after failing to obtain a water permit from New York.
Williams and one of its customers, National Grid, say the project is needed to meet demand during the winter months, when consumption of the heating fuel peaks and prices can spike. Pipeline opponents have said the state's decision would be a signal of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's commitment to address climate change. Mr Cuomo has introduced a state-level version of Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Green New Deal, calling for the New York's electricity to be 100 per cent carbon neutral by 2040.