Langworthy Leads Letter Calling on Governor Hochul to End Opposition to the Northern Access Pipeline and Key Natural Gas Infrastructure Projects

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23) led members of the New York and Pennsylvania Congressional delegations in sending a letter to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, expressing concern over the cancellation of the Northern Access Pipeline, a proposed $500 million investment in natural gas infrastructure that would’ve created thousands of good-paying jobs. The letter calls on Governor Hochul to reconsider her administration’s interpretation of the Clean Water Act (CWA), which has blocked critical energy projects in the region and cost New York significant economic opportunities.  

“The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) decision to stand in the way of this key natural gas pipeline infrastructure project — despite Federal approval — caused extensive delays and increased project costs, with the ongoing challenge of trying to develop in the current regulatory environment in New York,” the lawmakers wrote. “This action has once again robbed our state of a key opportunity for greater energy security and prevented increased access across the Northeast, the Midwest, and Canada to affordable, reliable natural gas.”

“The construction of the Northern Access Pipeline would have represented an investment of an estimated $500 million, with much of that investment directly into New York. Some of our state’s most rural counties in the Southern Tier could have benefited from increased local tax revenue and new jobs to complete this integral pipeline. Initial project estimates expected a peak construction workforce at 1,680 jobs, with much of the work expected to have been completed by companies in New York,” the letter continued. 

The letter also highlighted that House Republicans have already taken action to address this issue by passing H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, which includes provisions to prevent states like New York from using an overly broad interpretation of the Clean Water Act to obstruct federally approved projects. 

The letter was cosigned by Representatives Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Glenn "GT" Thompson (PA-15), Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), Michael Lawler (NY-17), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Dan Meuser (PA-9), Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), Nick LaLota (NY-01), John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), and Mike Kelly (PA-16).

Read the full letter HERE.