Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders announced his opposition to a new natural gas pipeline project in the northeastern states.

A long-time critic of the Keystone XL pipeline, the Democratic presidential candidate reminded the audience at the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in Manchester, N.H., that he believes climate change is the greatest challenge facing the U.S.

"And that is why — right here in New Hampshire — I believe the Northeast Energy Direct pipeline that would carry fracked natural gas for 400 miles through 17 communities is a bad idea — and should be opposed," Sanders said in prepared remarks.

The Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, a Kinder Morgan company, filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Nov. 20 to build its proposed natural gas pipeline, called the "Northeast Energy Direct Project."

The pipeline is projected to cost about $5 billion dollars and would stretch across Pennsylvania, New York and New England states, including New Hampshire.

Kinder Morgan is the largest energy infrastructure company in North America and is involved with 84,000 miles of pipelines and approximately 165 terminals.