Trump administration invokes Defense Production Act for Constitution Pipeline

The Department of Energy has announced up to $42 million in federal funding to advance the proposed 125-mile Constitution Pipeline. The project aims to transport natural gas from Pennsylvania to New York to help lower energy costs across the Northeast.

To secure the funding, the administration is invoking the Defense Production Act (DPA), a law that grants the president authority to strengthen industrial capabilities deemed essential to national defense. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that the project could reduce electricity and home heating costs while mitigating the risk of blackouts during peak demand periods.

The $42 million will support permitting, environmental reviews, engineering, and other preconstruction activities. The Constitution Pipeline was originally approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in 2014, but faced setbacks in 2016 when New York regulators denied a critical water-quality certification due to environmental concerns.