As Trump Backs a Gas Pipeline, New York’s Climate Priorities Face a Test
Tanja Konwinski thought the Constitution pipeline was dead. When her husband bought 82 acres in Schoharie County, New York, in 2023, she knew Williams Cos. held an easement on the property for the proposed natural gas pipeline. But the state had rejected the project’s water quali
The revival of the Constitution pipeline, backed by former President Trump, poses a significant test to New York's climate priorities. The state had previously rejected the project due to concerns over water quality, aligning with its ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The pipeline's approval would not only undermine these efforts but also set a concerning precedent for future fossil fuel projects in the region.
New York has been at the forefront of the clean energy transition, with a commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The state's climate agenda relies heavily on reducing its reliance on natural gas, a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. The Constitution pipeline, if built, would carry fracked gas from Pennsylvania to New York, locking in decades of emissions and hindering the state's progress toward a cleaner energy future.
As the project moves forward, all eyes will be on New York's regulators and lawmakers to see if they will uphold the state's climate commitments or cave to pressure from fossil fuel interests. The outcome will have far-reaching implications for the state's energy landscape and its ability to meet its climate goals. To watch next: the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's review of the pipeline's water quality permit and the potential for renewed opposition from environmental groups and local communities.
Originally reported by insideclimatenews.org. CleanNews adds analysis for climate & energy readers.