ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION PIPELINE
WHAT IS THE CONSTITUTION PIPELINE?
The Constitution Pipeline, is a proposed fracked-gas pipeline that is being developed by Williams Companies, a large operator of pipelines across the United States. As proposed, the Constitution Pipeline, the project would involve the construction of approximately 125 miles of new 30-inch diameter interstate natural gas pipeline that would originate in northeastern Pennsylvania and extend through Broome, Chenango, Delaware, and Schoharie Counties in New York, before reaching its interconnection point at the Wright Compressor Station in the Town of Wright, Schoharie County. The proposed pipeline would provide up to 650,000 dekatherms per day of natural gas transportation capacity from three (3) receipt points in Pennsylvania to the interconnection point in Schoharie County, New York.
The project is part of a long-standing effort to increase the flow of natural gas into parts of Connecticut and, by extension, the neighboring states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire.
In Schohaire County, the pipeline is proposed to run through the following municipalities: Jefferson, Summit, Richmondville, Cobleskill, Middleburgh, Schoharie and Wright​.​
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WHAT AGENCIES ARE INVOLVED IN THE APPLICATION & PERMITTING PROCESS?
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is an independent U.S. federal agency that regulates the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas, and oil. FERC also reviews proposals to build interstate natural gas pipelines, natural gas storage projects, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, in addition to licensing non-federal hydropower projects. FERC is composed of up to five commissioners who are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate to staggered five-year terms.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)
​The state regulatory agency responsible for reviewing, and denying/approving, critical environmental permits—specifically the Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification—for the proposed 99-mile Constitution Pipeline, which aims to cross New York. The DEC actively opposes the project, citing potential environmental damage to wetlands and waterways.
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​Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) is the state agency responsible for protecting air, land, and water resources, crucial in reviewing permits for the Constitution Pipeline. The PA DEP has historically overseen the environmental compliance, mitigation measures, and water quality certifications for the portion of the pipeline running through Pennsylvania.
WHERE IN THE PROCESS IS THIS PROJECT?
November 2025:
On November 7, 2025, NYSDEC received a letter from Constitution (PDF) regarding the application and request for a Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC) for the Constitution Pipeline project. The letter notified NYSDEC that Constitution elected to withdraw the Application, effective November 7, 2025. On November 13, 2025, NYSDEC issued an acknowledgement letter to both Constitution and the USACE. Effective November 7, 2025, the Application and request for a Section 401 WQC is hereby withdrawn from processing.
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December 2025:
Williams Companies filed a petition asking FERC to reissue the certificate to proceed with construction, following a notice of incomplete application in July 2025 and subsequent, ongoing discussions with state regulators.
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January 2025
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) formally opposed this petition on January 28, 2026, challenging the attempt to bypass state environmental authority.
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The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) deadline for filing motions to intervene or submitting comments regarding the revived Constitution Pipeline petition (Docket CP13-499-006 / CP18-5-004) passed on January 29, 2026, at 5:00 pm EST. This deadline follows a December 2025 filing by the project owners to restart the pipeline.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
NYSDEC - Constitution Pipeline: State resource page with information regarding the project, including application status and documents.
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FERC Documents: Documents submitted to FERC - Constitution Pipeline Company, LLC submits Petition for Reissuance of Certificate Authority and Reaffirmance of Waiver Determination re the Constitution Pipeline Project under CP13-499 et al.
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