Liberal Democrats Demand Hochul Block Gas Pipelines Citing Energy Agenda

Governor Kathy Hochul is facing a new wave of opposition from within her own party as forty liberal Democrats in the state Legislature signed a letter Tuesday urging her to reject two natural gas pipeline projects that have long been opposed in New York.

The lawmakers, led by state Sen. Lea Webb and Assemblymember Anna Kelles, called on Hochul to block the Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) and Constitution pipelines, both backed by Williams Companies, which they say would cause irreversible harm to New York’s environment and lock the state into decades of reliance on fossil fuels.

“New York must stand firmly behind our state’s environmental protection standards and for our sovereign authority on this issue granted under section 401 of the federal Clean Water Act,” the letter states. “Rather than allowing President Trump to undermine state authority by welcoming these gas pipelines, we urge you to be a bulwark in protecting the water, environment, and health for New Yorkers, and we will stand with you in doing so.”

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) previously denied permits for both projects in 2019 and 2020 citing water quality concerns. Opponents argue those concerns remain unchanged, warning that NESE would stir up toxic contaminants and threaten marine habitats while the Constitution pipeline would cut across more than 250 waterways in Upstate New York.

“These gas pipelines are a very bad deal for New Yorkers,” the letter continues. “Despite President Trump and the gas industry’s inflated claims, these pipelines will NOT make energy more affordable. In fact, the reverse is true: ratepayers will ultimately pay for the pipelines and likely end up paying higher rates.”

The lawmakers noted that National Grid estimates customers in New York City and Long Island would see bills increase by 3.5% if NESE moves forward.

The pressure campaign comes as Hochul has appeared to hedge on her position. Earlier this year, the White House suggested she privately signaled support for reviving the projects in exchange for President Trump lifting a stop-work order on a New York wind energy project. While Hochul has not admitted to such a deal, she has repeatedly leaned on her “all of the above” approach to energy, stressing that the DEC will act within the scope of the law.

Her hedging has only deepened the criticism. Even her own lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado, who has launched a primary challenge against her, has joined progressives in denouncing the pipelines.

Despite the strong opposition, Hochul has not ruled the projects out. The state Public Service Commission gave its backing to NESE just two weeks ago, though the project still requires DEC approval. The state’s Energy Research and Development Agency has warned that New York is unlikely to meet its ambitious emissions reduction goals without relying on natural gas in the short term.

For critics, that’s exactly the problem.

“We urge you to preserve water quality and protect energy affordability by preventing unnecessary rate increases and damage to ecosystems vital to our economy,” the Democrats’ letter concludes.

It is unknown what Hochul will do, or if she will publicly state a position, as she gears up for reelection in 2026.

Liberal Democrats Demand Hochul Block Gas Pipelines Citing Energy Agenda