Southern Tier NYers Urge Gov. To Support Major Clean Energy Project for Region, Reject Trump-backed Pipelines

BINGHAMTON, NY (08/27/2025) (readMedia)-- Tomorrow, August 28th, environmental and community organizations and leaders will hold a press conference slamming Governor Hochul and New York Public Service Commission Chair Rory Christian for rejecting a major renewable energy infrastructure project that would bring clean energy jobs to the Southern Tier - as the Governor continues to push two major gas pipelines. Last week, New York State's Public Service Commission (PSC) decided not to move forward with the Clean Path NY transmission line, which would have brought major amounts of wind and solar power from upstate NY to New York City.

The $5 billion project would have created critically needed jobs throughout the Southern Tier and upstate region, supporting new clean energy development and serving a key role in addressing climate change. This decision is in conflict with the state's own agency, the New York Power Authority, who pointed to how the transmission line would reduce dependence on fossil fuels and help move New York forward on clean energy.

The shocking Clean Path NY decision comes as Governor Hochul is considering approving two new fracked gas pipelines under pressure from President Trump: the Constitution and Northeast Energy Supply Enhancement (NESE) pipelines, which the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) previously reviewed and denied in 2016 and 2019 given the threats they posed to the state's water quality. As oil and gas prices continue to rise, building these pipelines will cost everyday people significantly more on their energy bills than cleaner, more reliable energy. Denying Clean Path NY and approving either gas pipelines would also be a disaster for New York's climate obligations, threatening our water quality and exacerbating the effects of climate change so Governor Hochul can appease the Trump administration. Attendees will call on Governor Hochul and PSC Chair and Chief Executive Officer Rory Christian to reconsider their decision on Clean Path NY and deny Trump's dangerous pipelines.

WHAT: Press conference calling on Governor Hochul and the PSC to reverse their unconscionable Clean Path NY decision to support jobs and clean energy, and to deny Trump's dangerous fracked gas pipelines.

WHO: Community and environmental organizations and leaders including Citizen Action NY, Concerned Health Professionals of NY, Frack Action, Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter - Susquehanna Group, Network for a Sustainable Tomorrow, and others.

WHEN: Thursday, August 28 at 11:00am. *Please RSVP by responding to this email.

WHERE: 44 Hawley Street, Binghamton, NY 13901. Outside, in front of the State Office Building.

Background on Clean Path NY:

A broad set of stakeholders supported the New York Power Authority's petition to designate the proposed Clean Path NY transmission line a Priority Transmission Project and advance its development. The 1,300 MW Clean Path NY transmission line would bring significant amounts of wind, solar, and hydropower to New York City, which is vital to advancing clean energy and meeting our state's climate goals. Clean Path NY would provide critical infrastructure to support renewable energy development and jobs in upstate New York.

Background on the Constitution and NESE Pipelines:

The Wall Street Journal reported on May 28 that the pipeline company behind the long-denied Constitution Pipeline and the Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) pipeline are attempting to revive the projects following Trump-Hochul talks. The White House has claimed that Hochul "caved" on the pipelines after Trump allowed a wind project to continue. Hochul denies that a deal was made, but has not come out in opposition to the pipelines despite the state's prior review and denials.

New York State has clear authority to deny the pipelines under section 401 of the federal Clean Water Act. The Constitution pipeline's planned route in 2016 was approximately 125 miles from Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, to Schoharie County, New York and would have crossed 250 waterways. The pipeline would impact water quality due to sedimentation, erosion, dredging, and changes in turbidity, posing harms to sensitive streams, trout, and other habitats.

The NESE pipeline was planned to run approximately 24 miles underwater in New York Harbor between New Jersey and New York. The DEC denied the pipeline given the harm it posed to water quality, including impacts from stirring up toxic contaminants, causing turbidity, and damage to critical habitats.

There was mass opposition to these pipelines in the past given the dangers they pose, both to water quality and the economy. Impacts to water and the environment endanger agriculture, small businesses, fishing, tourism, and recreation. Additionally, the costs of the pipelines would ultimately be borne by ratepayers. For instance, National Grid estimates that the NESE pipeline would lead to a 3.5% increase in costs for its customers across New York City and Long Island.