Overview

• Visiting Northport Power Station, Energy Secretary Chris Wright called New York’s climate mandates “totally nuts” and argued that greater natural gas use would lower energy costs and improve reliability.
• Wright said he has discussed long-stalled pipeline projects with Gov. Kathy Hochul, naming the Constitution and Northeast Supply Enhancement lines, and he signaled potential DOE co-funding for plant upgrades and gas infrastructure.
• He criticized offshore wind as costly and unreliable and said internal deliberations continue on projects already under construction, while Newsday reported Empire Wind resumed after the state agreed to reconsider gas pipelines.
• Hochul’s office said she is open to natural gas proposals but insisted all projects must undergo impartial reviews to ensure compliance with state and federal laws, while faulting the Trump administration for curbing support for clean energy.
• Environmental advocates are pressing for distributed solar and enforcement of the CLCPA, opposing the fast-tracked NESE pipeline and noting the state’s cap-and-invest program remains delayed and under legal challenge.