New Poll: New Yorkers Reject the Williams Pipeline

More New Yorkers oppose the Williams pipeline than support it, according to a new statewide opinion survey released today by NRDC. And by a margin of nearly 5-to-1, New Yorkers would rather have the state expand clean energy solutions over dirty fossil fuels.

New York Governor Cuomo is poised to either approve or deny a necessary water quality permit for the pipeline that would either block or permit it in New York—during this critical time, he should know that New Yorkers want him to block it. And according to the poll, conducted by Anzalone Liszt Grove Research, the more people learn about the Williams fracked gas pipeline, the more opposed to it they become. And with good reason.

The Williams pipeline would transport fracked gas from Pennsylvania through New Jersey, crossing under New York Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean, finally terminating in the Rockaways in Queens. Construction of the pipeline would threaten New York’s water quality and perpetuate our dependence on dirty fossil fuels.

After reading a brief description of the project, a plurality of respondents said they were opposed to the Williams pipeline (33% support / 47% opposed). Later, after respondents read arguments for and against the pipeline, opposition to the project intensified while support for the project remained flat (34% support / 54% opposed), demonstrating that the more New Yorkers hear about the Williams pipeline, the more opposed they become. Opposition is especially strong among Cuomo’s base—Democrats, African Americans, and others who have a positive opinion of the governor.

Over the past three years, thousands of New Yorkers have spoken out against this dangerous project, from community members in the Rockaways to members of Congress. In May, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) temporarily denied a key permit for the project, citing its dangerous impacts to New York’s waterways. Williams subsequently re-applied, and the decision on this application could potentially stop this pipeline for good. NRDC recently submitted a letter to New York State, urging it to deny water quality certification to the pipeline.

Now we look to DEC and Governor Cuomo to stop this fracked gas pipeline project once and for all.

It’s not too late to reach out to Governor Cuomo to tell him that you oppose the Williams pipeline. Text "Pipeline" to 21333 to take action!