State Denies Yet Another Clean Energy Project as Governor Hochul Greenlights Trump's Fracked Gas Pipelines

ALBANY, NY (08/15/2025) (readMedia)-- Yesterday, the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) denied approval for yet another major clean energy project, the Clean Path transmission line, citing the high expected cost for New Yorkers. But the decision comes as Governor Hochul appears to be open to approving two major fracked gas pipelines at Trump's direction - even though they would cost New Yorkers billions and expose towns and cities across the state to dangerous, leaky gas pipelines.

In response, Ramsay Adams, Executive Director of the Catskill Mountainkeeper, issued the following statement urging the Governor to stand up to Trump and protect New Yorkers who cannot afford more expensive fossil fuels in their communities:

"Governor Hochul claims she wants to stand up to Trump and save New Yorkers money, so why is she considering his demand to build new dangerous, costly pipelines that would contaminate our waterways and communities while rejecting the renewable energy projects that would actually save us money?

These pipelines will cost New Yorkers billions of dollars over the next several decades, and they would pollute our water and air, and also expose families across the state to dangerous, leaky gas pipes. We need to prioritize renewable energy that will lower costs and create jobs."

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.