Albany, NY — Following the Trump administration’s decision to lift its stop-work order on the Empire Wind project, reports have surfaced that Governor Hochul may now be open to new fracked gas infrastructure — including a possible revival of the long-defeated Constitution Pipeline. The pipeline, canceled five years ago after widespread public opposition, posed serious risks to New York’s communities, waterways, and climate.

Hochul has already approved major fossil fuel expansions in recent months, most notably the Iroquois pipeline project, reflecting a broader willingness to back polluting infrastructure. Backtracking further by giving life to a fracked gas project that was already buried once would show just how deeply she’s willing to side with corporate polluters over everyday New Yorkers.

Laura Shindell, New York State Director at Food & Water Watch, issued the following statement:

“If Governor Hochul moves to revive the Constitution Pipeline — or any other fracked gas pipeline project — it would be a reckless and unacceptable capitulation to President Trump and the polluting fossil fuel interests backing him. This pipeline was defeated already because the overwhelmingly majority of New Yorkers refused to be collateral damage for the gas industry. Turning her back on communities to appease polluters would be an astonishing failure of leadership. If Hochul decides to go down this foolish path, she will be met at every turn by the full force of New York’s energized climate movement. She will certainly regret it.”