New York regulators have approved a controversial natural gas pipeline after rejecting permits for the project three times in the past.

On Nov. 6, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation granted a permit allowing the construction of the Northeast Supply Enhancement Project. The pipeline will deliver more gas to parts of New York City but faced opposition in part because of risks to the endangered North Atlantic right whale and other marine life.  

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul told media outlets in a statement that “we need to govern in reality.”

“We are facing war against clean energy from Washington Republicans, including our New York delegation, which is why we have adopted an all-of-the-above approach that includes a continued commitment to renewables and nuclear power to ensure grid reliability and affordability,” Hochul said.

The project by pipeline company Williams involves upgrading its existing Transco pipeline network by adding a 23-mile section of underwater pipeline across Raritan Bay and New York Harbor, connecting New Jersey and New York.

The project is meant to deliver more gas from Pennsylvania to gas utility National Grid in New York and was originally authorized by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in 2019. It was expected to begin operating in 2021 but faced years of opposition and delays, with the company failing to secure key state-level water permits.

After allowing its authorization to expire last year, Williams revived the project in May under the Trump Administration with a new FERC application.