Government Reform Groups To Call Out Hochul's Decision to Fast-Track Pipeline Deal with Trump

ALBANY, NY (09/30/2025) (readMedia)-- On Wednesday, good government groups including Common Cause New York and the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) will hold a virtual press conference urging Governor Hochul to provide to the public all comments submitted to the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) regarding her decision to fast-track the controversial Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) pipeline. Despite widespread opposition from national and state lawmakers, Governor Hochul is advancing the plan in secret and ignoring concerns that she is acting at the Trump administration's direction. Food & Water Watch has submitted a FOIL request for those public comments.

Join the virtual event here.

Earlier this month, the Public Service Commission (PSC) endorsed the NESE pipeline after quietly adding the item to its meeting agenda without advance notice. The last-minute agenda addition and decision - just 8 days after the public comment period closed - is just the latest step Governor Hochul has taken to fast-track the NESE pipeline approval process after she reportedly cut a deal with the Trump administration to push the project forward.

Since the NESE pipeline proposal was resurrected this summer, state and local lawmakers have repeatedly called on the Governor to slow down the rushed process and allow more public input. Now, good government organizations are demanding that the Hochul administration release thousands of public comments on the NESE proposal and commit to a more transparent review process.