TRENTON, NJ — A coalition of nonprofits filed suits against the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for unjustifiably approving the water quality certification for the Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) pipeline, after rejecting the project in 2019 and 2020 for violating state water quality standards.

The proposed 23-mile segment of the natural gas pipeline would run from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, through Middlesex and Monmouth counties in New Jersey, and on to New York City. The underwater segment beneath Raritan Bay and New York-New Jersey Harbor poses risks to marine habitats and would dredge up harmful materials such as mercury, PCBs and copper. The project also includes a proposed compressor station near the Trap Rock Quarry in Franklin Township, NJ, threatening wetlands that support habitat for endangered species.

The Eastern Environmental Law Center filed a petition for review on behalf of NY/NJ Baykeeper, Princeton Manor Homeowners Association, Central Jersey Safe Energy Coalition, Food & Water Watch, New Jersey League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, and Sierra Club. NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) filed its own suit.

The following are quotes from those involved in the lawsuits:

“New Jersey’s approval completely disregards its prior, sound decision to reject this pipeline over threats to the state’s water quality. This pipeline will not only destroy wetlands across New Jersey, but also would tear up the sea floor of Raritan Bay,” said Jared Knicley, managing litigator at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). “We’re taking New Jersey to court to enforce the state’s water quality standards, which are incompatible with building this harmful pipeline.”

“New Jersey’s decision to approve NESE after repeatedly rejecting the same project is indefensible,” said Christopher Miller, Executive Director of Eastern Environmental Law Center. “It wrongly puts the interests of the fossil fuel industry above the public interest in clean water. Our clients are challenging this approval because the State should uphold the law and protect water quality in New Jersey, not bend it for a project that will dredge up contamination and harm wildlife in Raritan Bay, and damage wetlands throughout the state.”

“Princeton Manor Homeowners Association, with our homes less than a half of a mile from the proposed compressor station, stands firm in opposing the NJ Department of Environmental Protection’s issuance of water quality permits to Williams Transco for NESE,” said Ron Waetzman, Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Princeton Manor Homeowners Association. “Both in 2019 and 2020, the same NJDEP denied these permits. Williams’ Transco has not remedied any of the specific reasons for the denial of these permits in their ‘resurrected’ NESE application filed in June 2025, and it should have been denied again.”

“This NESE project and Compressor Station 206 would harm water quality in our state,” said Kevin Corcoran, President of Central Jersey Safe Energy Coalition. “The NESE project water permits have been rejected before. There has not been any significant change in the project’s details. The Water permits should have been rejected again!”

“New Jersey’s decision to follow New York and approve water permits for the unnecessary and dangerous NESE pipeline is deeply disappointing,” said Ed Potosnak, Executive Director of New Jersey LCV. The New Jersey DEP already determined in 2020 that this project failed to meet the state’s environmental standards—nothing has changed since then. Our future depends on a bold commitment to clean, renewable energy—not another giveaway to the fossil fuel industry.”

“New Jersey has put its own waterways at risk by reversing course on a project that would dredge up toxic sediment and threaten fragile wetlands,” said Erin Doran, senior staff attorney at Food & Water Watch. “The state’s water quality standards exist to protect communities and the environment, and they shouldn’t be pushed aside to clear the way for a dirty fracked-gas pipeline. We’re challenging the state’s approval because New Jersey should not sacrifice its waters for this unnecessary project.”

“The Sierra Club was shocked and disappointed to see NJ and NY move ahead with Williams Transco’s dirty and harmful NESE project. We are proud to have joined with our partners and allies to file a petition in opposition to FERC and NJDEP for granting Transco their certificate and water permit, respectively. This unneeded fossil fuel infrastructure will tear through our wetlands, the Raritan Bay, pollute our air quality, and harm public health. We will not stop fighting this project,” said NJ Sierra Club Director, Anjuli Ramos-Busot.