Massachusetts governor asks Trump administration to fast‑track natural gas pipeline review
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey on Oct. 3, 2026 asked the Trump administration to allocate additional staff and resources to accelerate federal reviews of Enbridge’s Algonquin “Reliable Affordable Resilient Enhancement” (RARE) natural‑gas pipeline expansion, citing the need to preserve the project’s 2028 in‑service date.
“Sufficient staff and resources are dedicated to completing the required reviews in time to preserve the project’s planned 2028 in‑service date,” the governor’s letter said.
The request, addressed to Energy Secretary Chris Wright, marks a rare instance of cooperation between a Democratic state leader and a Republican‑led federal administration on an energy‑infrastructure project. Healey, who previously sued ExxonMobil and opposed new pipeline construction during her tenure as attorney general, now argues that the expansion is essential to New England’s energy security.
State regulators estimate the RARE line will move about 73,500 dekatherms of gas per day on an existing route, a volume that could displace imported liquefied natural gas and lower heating costs for roughly 600,000 customers, saving an estimated $40 million annually for a decade.
Healey highlighted that the pipeline would help curb the region’s reliance on higher‑cost imported fuel, a growing concern as Massachusetts electricity rates remain 70‑80 % above the national average. The governor’s office noted previous discussions with the Energy Department about a mutual desire to increase domestic gas supplies to the Northeast.
Political analysts note the timing of the appeal, coming just weeks before the November 2026 gubernatorial election in which Healey faces Republican challenger Mike Minogue. The fast‑track request could be seen as an effort to address voter concerns about rising energy bills while balancing the state’s long‑term climate goals.
The administration’s response has not yet been announced. State officials say they will monitor the review process closely and keep the public informed as the project moves toward its targeted 2028 start‑up date.
