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Interior and Energy secretaries, FERC chair and unions hail NESSI pipeline as jobs and cost solution
Summary
Federal officials, regulatory leaders and union representatives at a Floyd Bennett Field groundbreaking praised the Northeast Supply Enhancement project ("Nessie") as a way to add gas capacity to New York and New England, projecting 2.3 million homes served, thousands of construction jobs and a targeted completion by end of 2027.
At a groundbreaking ceremony at Floyd Bennett Field, federal officials and union leaders on the stage celebrated the Northeast Supply Enhancement Project, commonly called "Nessie," as a major new source of natural gas capacity for downstate New York and New England.
Secretary Doug Burgum, introduced at the event, said the pipeline will add the first new capacity to deliver domestically produced natural gas to New York in over a decade and "will deliver enough natural gas to power 2.3 million homes." He told the crowd the project could lower energy costs "by over a thousand dollars per household," support "thousands of jobs," and be completed by the end of 2027.
"This project that the Nessie pipeline is going to deliver enough natural gas to power 2.3 million homes," Burgum said, linking the work to job creation and regional reliability. He credited private–public partnerships with Williams and National Grid and framed the pipeline as a response to policy decisions that have constrained supply into New York.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright, introduced as the 17th secretary of energy, described the event as a demonstration of federal and industry coordination to expand energy supply. He said the administration and private partners are focused on increasing supply to support manufacturing, affordability and reliability.
Lauris Wright, chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, said FERC's mission includes licensing natural gas pipelines and invoked the agency's role in ensuring access to "affordable and reliable energy." "I am Lauris Wright, the chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission," she said, adding the project will bring relief to families facing high utility bills.
Anthony DeBlasi of Iron Workers Local 361, speaking for the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, emphasized labor's role on the project, saying NESSI "represents such an infrastructure project being done the right way" and pledging thousands of union construction jobs, apprenticeships and safety commitments.
Organizers said NESSI is a direct investment of "over a billion dollars" and claimed it would unlock "billions more" in economic opportunity and state tax revenue. At the close of the ceremony, officials and guests were invited to sign a piece of pipe as a ceremonial acknowledgement of the project moving forward.
The speakers framed the pipeline as a response to regional supply constraints, saying higher winter prices in parts of New York and New England reflect a lack of infrastructure. Several officials also criticized state and local policies that restrict natural gas hookups or resource development, and urged action by Albany and other state actors.
No formal permits or regulatory approvals were recorded in the remarks at the ceremony. Organizers repeatedly cited a private-sector timeline and company commitments for construction and completion; the event did not include agency-level announcements of new authorizations or documented regulatory milestones.
The ceremony concluded with applause and a ceremonial signing; speakers said the work will continue toward construction and delivery of the project on the timetable announced at the event.
