Climate Activists Prepare Political Showdown with Hochul Over Pipeline Decision

The future of the Northeast Supply Enhancement Project (NESE), a proposed natural gas pipeline meant to serve New York City and Long Island, has entered a critical stage. Although the state Public Service Commission (PSC) recently ruled that the pipeline is needed to ensure downstate reliability, the ultimate decision rests with the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), which must rule by the end of November.

Environmental advocates argue the project threatens public health and the climate, citing longstanding concerns about stirring up toxic materials in New York Bay and increasing greenhouse gas emissions. They believe Governor Kathy Hochul holds the political power to stop the project and warn that her decision could have major implications for her reelection prospects.

Opposition groups have intensified pressure on Hochul by organizing protests, collecting signatures pledging not to support her if the pipeline proceeds, and disrupting her public appearances. These efforts mirror strategies previously used against former Governor Andrew Cuomo during the fracking debates. Critics claim Hochul is willing to advance the project as part of a broader energy deal, though she has denied any such arrangement.

Political rivals are also seizing the moment. Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado has positioned himself alongside anti-pipeline activists, using the PSC’s decision to argue that Hochul is siding with polluters at the expense of communities and a clean energy future.

The PSC insists its determination was based on reliability needs, particularly the risk of severe winter outages and not on political influence. The DEC maintains that its review will be rigorous and grounded in water quality and environmental standards.

The project has been rejected in the past, most recently in 2020, when regulators concluded it would harm the climate and was not necessary to meet gas demand. However, with the PSC now emphasizing reliability concerns, environmental authorities may face greater pressure to approve the pipeline.

While only one PSC commissioner voted against the order, critics fear the approval process is trending toward allowing the pipeline to move forward. They warn that doing so could trigger an election-year showdown, with climate advocates determined to hold Hochul accountable for what they see as a betrayal of New York’s clean energy goals.

Climate Activists Prepare Political Showdown with Hochul Over Pipeline Decision