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By: Hellen Zaboulani
In light of Con Edison’s proposed double digit price hike and the continued frigid temperatures, Gov. Kathy Hochul has approved more gas production in the state—in a move that is contrary to the state’s controversial green energy aspirations. As reported by the NY Post, Gov. Hochul has approved permits to expand the capacity of the 414-mile pipeline, and to pump more natural gas into New York City and southern Connecticut. The decision is meant to avoid freezeouts and allow for adequate supply to customers.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation approved the permits to expand the Iroquois pipeline’s compressor stations in the Hudson Valley’s Athens and Dover Plains, even as it conceded that it is “inconsistent with and would interfere with the statewide greenhouse gas (GHG) emission limits”. The permits allow the state to turn back from the plan to lessen the NYS’s dependency on fossil fuels, boosting the gas capacity to Con Ed and National Grid.
A DEC spokesperson called the permits “essential” to maintain the downstate gas supply. “As a condition of the permits, Iroquois will invest $5 million in mitigation efforts to address greenhouse gas emissions and make investments to reduce environmental burdens within disadvantaged communities, such as a heat pump program and EV charging stations,” the spokesperson said. “This investment is in addition to other measures Iroquois will implement to minimize emissions.” The state has not abandoned its greenhouse aspirations.
The permit approval comes along with $3.5 million to be invested in a Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Fund for projects in the National Grid and Con Edison service areas, as well as another $1.5 million for programs for electric vehicle charging stations and other environmental causes in Dover and Athens, as per the Post.
Still, climate change activists ripped the approval as a backtrack and disrupted a Public Service Commission meeting last week to protest the gas supply expansion. The groups claimed the results will be harmful to the environment and public health and are contrary to the state’s stated green energy goals. “The Iroquois Pipeline, one of New York’s most notorious fossil fuel projects, transports fracked gas from the Canadian border downstate into New York City,” the Sane Energy Project said in a statement. “Hochul’s approval will double two gas compressor stations in Greene and Dutchess counties despite emitting toxic chemicals linked to respiratory diseases, reproductive issues, and cancer.”
Gov. Hochul’s office responded, saying the approval does not conflict with the clean energy goals set. “From signing the Climate Superfund Act to investing $1 billion in clean energy projects in this year’s budget, Governor Hochul has demonstrated a clear commitment to an affordable and reliable transition to a clean energy economy,” said spokesman Paul DeMichele. “Projects like this one are thoroughly evaluated to advance that goal while also ensuring the safety and reliability of our energy distribution systems.”
The DEC only approved the gas ramp up to ensure the heat stays on. In 2022, during Winter Storm Elliott city residents had faced 10-degree temperatures, and Con Edison and National Grid “were barely able to provide adequate supply during Winter Storm Elliot until the temperatures increased, and weather improved,” per a PSC report which supported the expansion.
The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019 requires NYS and its energy producers and consumers to ween off fossil fuels by cutting gas emissions by 40% by 2030.
