If you follow the Marcellus shale there are political developments you should know about. Daniel Markind, a partner in the Philadelphia office of Flaster Greenberg PC, gave me permission to share this recent blog post.

Devastated By Coronavirus, New York’s Pipeline Politics Ensure A Tougher Second Round

By: This article originally ran on Forbes.com on May 20, 2020. All rights reserved.

Approximately 30% of all confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States have been reported in the New York City metropolitan area, which is located mainly in southeastern New York state and northeastern New Jersey. Last weekend, the administrations of the Governors of both states, Andrew Cuomo of New York and Phil Murphy of New Jersey, rejected once again the key permits for the Northeast Supply Enhancement Project (NESE), a natural gas pipeline that would have ensured sufficient natural gas supply to much of New York City and its environs. These decisions probably mean the death of NESE.

Click here to read the article in its entirety on Forbes.com.

The following is attributable to me and not to Daniel or Flaster Greenberg.

The discerning reader might want to consider these developments in terms of what they are likely to accomplish:

  • Higher energy costs for New York and New England residents, rich and poor, urban and rural.
  • Increased reliance on trade-deficit-inducing imported natural gas, while 250 miles away is one of the most prolific, clean, job-creating, affordable  – and American – sources to be found anywhere.
  • No real help for the environment.

Speaking of New York pipeline politics, presidential candidate Joe Biden has appointed New York Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez to co-chair his climate change task force.

You look stressed. The remedy is a dose of guitar virtuosity.

Here’s one more.