The federal Third Circuit Court of Appeals today dealt a major victory for the environment by striking down state water quality permits that are required to construct the Williams Transco Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) natural gas pipeline — putting a halt to the expensive and unnecessary project.

Responding to that landmark ruling, New Jersey LCV interim Executive Director Allison McLeod has released the following statement:

Today’s ruling by a federal appeals court is a monumental victory for New Jersey’s environment, public safety and working families who are tired of paying higher prices to further enrich billionaire oil and gas executives. The court recognized what communities across Central Jersey and the Shore have argued for years — the state failed to prove that this pipeline could be built without stirring up toxic pollution in our waters.

The NESE pipeline is a dangerous, unnecessary fossil fuel expansion that would not even serve New Jersey consumers. Instead, our working families and local businesses would be forced to bear the financial risks, environmental degradation and safety threats of a project designed to ship gas elsewhere. From dredging up toxic chemicals in the Raritan Bay to placing a massive compressor station in Franklin Township, NESE has always been a recipe for disaster.

This project would represent a capitulation to Donald Trump’s extreme fossil fuel agenda — sacrificing our public health and driving up costs to make billionaires even wealthier.

As today’s decision demonstrates, New Jerseyans’ right to clean water is not negotiable. Now, the state has a prime opportunity to deliver a major win for affordability, public safety and clean air and water. We call on Governor Sherrill and the DEP to put this expensive fossil fuel project to bed once and for all and double down on the clean, affordable energy future New Jerseyans deserve.