ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — A meeting of the state’s energy regulators on Thursday could decide the fate of a natural gas pipeline twice denied by New York. Actor and activist Mark Ruffalo spoke out Wednesday, lending his celebrity to environmental groups opposed to new fracked gas infrastructure.
They argued that the pipeline is unnecessary and will damage the environment and residents’ finances, and joined the call of some state lawmakers urging the Public Service Commission to delay the vote. The PSC is the state’s energy regulating body.
The controversial Williams Northeast Supply Enhancement or NESE pipeline would run through New York Harbor and into Far Rockaway, Queens. The PSC is projected to endorse National Grid’s gas plan by advocates like Ruffalo who worry the vote will greenlight the pipeline.
Gas pipelines eye return to New York
The vote is part of the state’s review of National Grid’s 20-year roadmap for gas supply. It comes just eight days after the final public comments on the plan were submitted. Ruffalo, a longtime environmental activist in New York, said that he believes the PSC is fast-tracking the vote without properly considering those comments. He also said that the only reason the NESE pipeline is back on the table is because of pressure from President Donald Trump…