Williams Companies marked the official start of construction on its Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) project with a groundbreaking ceremony at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn on April 14, 2026. The ceremony, attended by federal and state officials, labor leaders, and project partners, underscored the project’s importance to the region’s energy infrastructure.
NESE expands the existing Transco pipeline system across Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York, adding 400,000 dekatherms per day of capacity—enough to serve the equivalent of 2.3 million homes. The project was revived in 2025 after securing Clean Water Act certifications and other permits that had previously been denied, making the April 14 ceremony the first tangible step toward resuming construction.
The pipeline is projected to be in service in the fourth quarter of 2027. The cost of the project is estimated at $926.5 million in 2017 dollars, with a projected total cost to National Grid customers reaching $3.2 billion, reflecting more than $1 billion in investment required to bring the capacity online.
Williams’ expansion strategy aims to grow its transmission footprint and support energy reliability in the Northeast. By adding capacity, the company will help displace higher‑emitting fuel oil, reduce emissions, and provide reliable, affordable natural gas during peak demand periods for homes, businesses and critical infrastructure.
Chad Zamarin, President and CEO, said, "Energy security is national security, and energy affordability drives American prosperity. NESE delivers reliable American energy to New York's grid at a critical time. By adding new capacity to bring domestically produced natural gas to the grid, we're providing dependable energy for countless homes and businesses at the time they need it most." EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin added, "Breaking ground on the NESE pipeline marks a massive milestone for millions of New Yorkers seeking access to reliable, affordable natural gas. Delivering natural gas from Pennsylvania to New York City and Long Island will lower costs while helping to meet the growing energy demand of this region."
The project has faced significant environmental opposition, with critics citing concerns about climate change, marine life impacts and the long‑term lock‑in of fossil fuel infrastructure. Despite these challenges, the groundbreaking signals a major operational milestone that could shape Williams’ revenue streams and the region’s energy reliability for years to come.
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