ICYMI: Zohran Says No to Hochul-Trump Pipeline

NEW YORK, NY (09/02/2025) (readMedia)-- In an Instagram post over the weekend, NYC Democratic nominee for mayor Zohran Mamdani said that he opposes the Williams NESE natural gas pipeline. The NESE pipeline, along with the Constitution pipeline, were previously, repeatedly rejected by NYS but are now being fast-tracked by Governor Hochul at Trump's direction.

In the Instagram post, Mamdani says, "I've opposed the construction of natural gas pipelines and continue to oppose them, and that includes the Williams NESE pipeline. I think right now what we need desperately is the rapid investment in clean energy across the country, and that is the exact opposite approach of what we're seeing, especially coming out of Washington, D.C. where the Trump administration has canceled nearly $700 million in federal funds for offshore wind projects."

The Williams Northeast Supply Enhancement Project (NESE) and Constitution pipelines would be a disaster for New Yorkers, threatening our water, costing families more on their energy bills, and posing serious health risks to nearby communities - all so the Governor can curry favor with the Trump administration.

Background

Despite promising to stand up to President Trump's demands, Governor Hochul appears to be cutting a deal to revive two major fracked gas pipeline projects in New York.

But New York State already rejected these same pipeline proposals - twice. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) denied the Williams Northeast Supply Enhancement Project (NESE) pipeline, which would run through the New York Harbor and into Far Rockaway, in 2018, 2019, and 2020 because of its threat to New York's water quality. The DEC also rejected the Constitution pipeline, which would run approximately 125 miles across the Southern Tier and through 250 waterways, in 2016 and again in 2018 under similar reasons.

Now, under pressure from the President, Governor Hochul is fast-tracking the approval process for these pipeline projects, which would prevent the vast majority of New Yorkers who continue to oppose pipelines in their communities from making their voices heard. Her approach is even drawing criticism from Democratic Members of Congress, including Congress Members Jerry Nadler and Hakeem Jeffries, who signed a letter urging Governor Hochul to extend the public comment period from a paltry 45 days to several months.

The push comes as state regulators have repeatedly declined to advance renewable energy projects in New York State over concerns about their feasibility. Last year, the State cancelled an offshore wind solicitation that would have allowed for major new offshore wind development, and in July, the State cancelled its latest Public Policy Transmission Need to bring offshore wind power to New York City.

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