Raritan Bay pipeline: Why Staten Islanders are fighting the Trump-backed project

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Several dozen protesters gathered on the steps of Borough Hall in St. George Thursday evening to oppose the Williams Northeast Supply Enhancement pipeline — a project they say would raise utility bills while threatening Raritan Bay’s fragile environment.

Representatives from several organizations attended the rally, including New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), Food and Water Watch, New York Communities for Change and the Climate Revolution Action Network.

The rally reflected growing local resistance to the proposed pipeline, which has drawn bipartisan opposition from Staten Island leaders.

Staten Island residents and community groups gathered on the steps of Borough Hall to urge Governor Hochul to reject the proposed Williams Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) fracked gas pipeline on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025.(Advance/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod)

The project would run 23.5 miles under Raritan Bay from New Jersey to Rockaway, where it would connect with National Grid’s distribution system. Supporters say it would strengthen New York’s supply of fracked natural gas from Pennsylvania, but opponents argue Staten Islanders would shoulder the risks and costs without seeing any benefits.

“Staten Islanders are forced to front the cost of this project even though we won’t directly receive any of the gas,” said Daniel Baer, chair of the NYPIRG board of directors at the College of Staten Island, who emceed the rally. “This is a flat-out dangerous, expensive, and just a stupid deal for Staten Islanders.”

According to critics, Staten Island customers would face a 3.5% increase in National Grid bills to help pay for the project — despite receiving none of the added gas supply. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has already rejected the proposal three times for failing to meet clean water standards.

Borough President Vito Fossella, who met with National Grid representatives in August, has also voiced strong opposition.

Staten Island residents and community groups gathered on the steps of Borough Hall to urge Gov. Kathy Hochul to reject the proposed Williams Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) fracked gas pipeline on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025.(Advance/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod)

“Like many who grew up in either South or Midland Beach, or along the South Shore, we have seen the tremendous gains and improvements to the Raritan Bay,’’ he said. ”Where once, if you went into the water, Lord knows what you came out with, today there is vibrant marine life and cleaner waterways.”

Environmental advocates echoed those concerns. Jack Bolembach, of Protectors of Pine Oak Woods, warned of potential leaks and mechanical failures, calling the project “too risky.”

He pointed to the bay’s ecological recovery, noting, “We have whales, porpoises, egrets, ospreys and bald eagles — wildlife that hasn’t been here in over 100 years. The Department of Environmental Conservation claims the water is as clean now as it was just after the Civil War.”

For some protesters, the issue is deeply personal. Rachel, a Hurricane Sandy survivor, shared that her daughters still suffer from PTSD and respiratory seizures following the storm. She warned that the pipeline could bring similar devastation to Staten Island families.

Others highlighted broader environmental and social impacts. Cecilia Ellis, policy and communications manager for NYPIRG, said the issue resonates strongly with college students. “It really boils down to clean water and the cost of living,” she said.

“College students are very aware of how expensive it is to live in New York City — and they know how important the coast and clean water are to Staten Island,” she said.

Some in attendance framed the issue in global terms. Sally Jones, of Peace Action Staten Island, connected the pipeline fight to global issues, saying: “The reliance on fossil fuels is bad for the planet. And what is bad for the planet is bad for peace and causes conflict and more wars.”

Ben Jovec, executive director of the Climate Revolution Action Network, called on Gov. Kathy Hochul and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy to “stand up to Donald Trump, stand up to big oil and say no new pipelines.”

Since returning to office, Trump has pushed to revive the Northeast Supply Enhancement project, along with another upstate natural gas pipeline.

Hochul has not taken a concrete position on the project, but expressed an openness to fossil fuels through a spokesperson. She now has until the end of the year to decide whether to allow plans for the project to proceed.

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Raritan Bay pipeline: Why Staten Islanders are fighting the Trump-backed project

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