For Immediate Release:
Contacts:
Event Information: Madison Wurst, Ocean Policy Advocate
Mwurst@CleanOceanAction.org | 732-872-0111 (office)
ONE LAST CHANCE: COALITION TO UNITE AGAINST NEW YORK FOSSIL FUEL PIPELINE THREATENING NEW JERSEY
Advocates to Urge NJ Governor Sherrill and Tidelands Resource Council to Deny NESE Project’s Final License, in Rare Opportunity
WHO:
Clean Ocean Action, Waterspirit, Food & Water Watch, New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, Sierra Club, Surfrider Foundation, ReThink Energy NJ, NY/NJ Baykeeper, elected officials, and more!
WHAT:
Press conference urging Governor Sherrill and the New Jersey Tidelands Resource Council to deny the utility license for the Williams Transco Northeast Supply Enhancement Project (NESE).
Speakers will highlight:
● Environmental, economic, and public health dangers associated with the project
● Impacts to Raritan Bay, the ocean, and nearby coastal ecosystems
● Concerns about expanded fossil fuel infrastructure and air pollution
● Calls for the state to reject the final license required for construction
WHEN:
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 | 12 PM - 1 PM
WHERE:
End of First Ave closest to the harbor | Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716
WHY:
A coalition of environmental, fishing, business, and community groups will gather to urge Governor Sherrill and the Tidelands Resource Council to deny the license and prevent construction of the pipeline. At this stage, a two-step process remains: first, the Tidelands Resource Council will approve or deny the application following a recommendation from the NJDEP; second, Governor Mikie Sherrill’s administration must concur with that decision – making this the final opportunity to stop the project before construction can begin. This is a rare opportunity for the Tidelands Resource Council and the public to protect their tidelands against a destructive New York project.
BACKGROUND:
The Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) project is a proposed fossil fuel expansion designed to transport fracked natural gas from Pennsylvania to New York City. In May 2025, Williams-Transco renewed permit applications for the project with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). Former NJ Gov. Murphy and NY Gov. Hochul approved major land use and air permits before the Sherrill administration took office. One license is required before construction can begin[1] [2] .
The project includes a massive compressor station in Franklin Township and a 23.4-mile offshore pipeline through Raritan Bay, with more than 9 miles impacting Raritan Bay and the Cheesequake Creek tributary tidelands. Tidelands are state-owned areas covered or inundated by water at high tide. Because of this, the project requires a utility license from New Jersey’s Tidelands Resource Council[3] [4] , a state body that holds critical authority over the use and sale of New Jersey’s tidelands.
PRESS OPPORTUNITIES:
Organizations and residents rallying for bay and ocean communities; interviews with environmental and community leaders[5] [6]
###
[1]rare occurrence
[2]rare occurrence
[3]At this stage there is a two-step process remaining:
Step One: The TRC will approve or deny the application based on an initial recommendation from the NJDEP. NOTE: The TRC is under NO OBLIGATION issue a license, lease, or grant.
Step Two: Governor Mikie Sherill's administration, through her DEP Commissioner (Ed Potosnak) and Attorney General (Jennifer Davenport), must concur with this decision. It is important to reach out to Governor Sherril and her administration since they have a hand in this decision.
[4]At this stage there is a two-step process remaining:
Step One: The TRC will approve or deny the application based on an initial recommendation from the NJDEP. NOTE: The TRC is under NO OBLIGATION issue a license, lease, or grant.
Step Two: Governor Mikie Sherill's administration, through her DEP Commissioner (Ed Potosnak) and Attorney General (Jennifer Davenport), must concur with this decision. It is important to reach out to Governor Sherril and her administration since they have a hand in this decision.
[5]staten island + ny papers
[6]staten island + ny papers