During a press briefing on February 14th, President Trump discussed an executive order to create the National Energy Dominance Council and said that the Constitution Pipeline project should be revived. A rare example of Trump supporting the Constitution.
The president blasted New York for holding up a pipeline to New England and threatened to overrule state permitting power if necessary. He claimed that Constitution would reduce gas prices 50 to 70 percent. Fact check: the project was to move methane from the drilling fields of northeastern Pennsylvania to eastern Canada via reversing the flow in the Iroquois Pipeline. Additionally, Trump posted (incorrectly) on his social media on March 13th that the pipeline was “from New York State, whose people all want it.”
The CEO of Williams Companies expressed interest in the proposal. (What executive is willing to cross this president?) However, the company wrote off over $350 million when it cancelled the Constitution Pipeline project in 2020. In a press conference on March 12th, Armstrong stated that the company would remain on the sideline until governors of Pennsylvania and New York grant all permits, express their support, and remove bans on uses of methane. “We have so much more demand for gas to the south – so many more projects – that we’re not gonna stick our neck out” to try to invest in the northeast, he said.
This pipeline would cross 10 miles of Franklin along the ridge of the hills between Ouleout Creek and Susquehanna River. A compressor station would likely be built in Franklin. For a similar project, Northeast Energy Direct, plans were to build a compressor and chemical treatment facility on the hill north of the village. It would pay some property taxes to county, town, school district, fire district, and library.
Williams still controls all easements under contract. However, those obtained through eminent domain have been vacated. Before work could begin there, easements would have to be obtained one way or another.
Trump’s failure to force through the Constitution in his previous administration is probably one of his many grievances. On March 14th, Trump met with Hochul again to discuss several topics, including reviving the Constitution Pipeline project. Last year, the Hochul administration approved increasing the capacity of Iroquois Pipeline to move gas from Canada to downstate.
From the federal government, Governor Hochul wants a few things for New York; prominent are the continuation of congestion pricing, and the permitting and financing for a new Penn Station. One of her few bargaining chips is the Constitution Pipeline project, although it would conflict with the goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Their meeting ended amicably and was referred to as productive by the governor’s office. However, no agreement was announced.
Regardless of the politics, Williams would have to demonstrate that a Constitution Pipeline project is economically viable.