[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 7, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E157-E158]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            NEW YORK CITY NATURAL GAS SUPPLY ENHANCEMENT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. GREGORY W. MEEKS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 6, 2012

  Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to speak in 
support of the ``New York City Natural Gas Supply Enhancement Act'' 
(H.R. 2606). This bipartisan legislation will authorize the Secretary 
of Interior to allow the construction and operation of natural gas 
pipeline facilities in the New York portion of the Gateway National 
Recreation Area.
  My southeastern Queens district includes part of the Gateway National 
Recreation Area near Kennedy Airport, including the Jamaica Bay 
Wildlife Refuge. I have long supported efforts to improve the 
environment in and around Gateway as well as to enhance Gateway's 
facilities.
  I join with Congressman Grimm and Congressman Turner in thanking 
Resources Chairman Hastings, Ranking Member Markey, Subcommittee Chair 
Bishop and Ranking

[[Page E158]]

Member Grijalva and their staffs for their help in moving our bill 
through their committee to the floor.
  I also thank the National Park Service for its work to strengthen the 
legislation as well as for its efforts over the years to improve 
Gateway and its historic Floyd Bennett Field. Also deserving our 
appreciation are Governor Cuomo, New York Deputy Secretary for Energy 
Congdon, Mayor Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor Holloway, the Floyd Bennett 
Field Blue Ribbon Panel, the National Parks Conservation Association, 
the Regional Plan Association, and countless other individuals and 
organizations in New York for their work and collaboration in support 
of Gateway.
  The natural gas pipeline system serving Queens, Brooklyn and Staten 
Island is 40 to 60 years old. While adequate for the demand at the 
time, the system no longer has the capacity for the approximately 5.2 
million residents of these three boroughs. Simply put, we need new 
natural gas infrastructure to meet our existing and growing needs, and 
H.R. 2606 is necessary to get us there.
  Robert Yaro, the President of the Regional Plan Association, summed 
it up in August 22, 2011 letter to me in support of our bill. He stated 
that H.R. 2606 will expand the supply of natural gas in New York City, 
help support economic development, improve public health by increasing 
air quality, and provide needed financial support for restoration of 
one of Floyd Bennett Field's historically significant airplane hangars.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2606 is a win all around.

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