We SHUT DOWN the PSC meeting: New York Wants Renewables!
3 Ways to Take Action Now
Public Service Commission Cannot Expect Business As Usual
On February 7, 2025, Governor Hochul's approval of the Iroquois fracked gas pipeline expansion sparked outrage among communities along the pipeline route in Athens and Dover. In response, residents, including Dr. Sandra Steingraber, disrupted a Public Service Commission (PSC) meeting to voice their opposition.
Although the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) permitted the pipeline, the PSC played a role in its approval. In February 2024, the PSC aligned with National Grid and Con Edison's proposal for the expansion, sending a letter to the DEC.
Sane Energy responded by filing a letter with state agencies and Governor Hochul's office, expressing deep concern over the Department of Public Service's (DPS) misguided support of the Iroquois Pipeline Co. ExC Project. The letter highlighted that the DPS's decision contradicts New York's Climate Action Council Scoping Plan and local laws aimed at reducing gas use and emissions.
Notably, the PSC made this decision before completing the review of National Grid's long-term gas plan, which is currently ongoing. Concerns have been raised regarding the need for an independent analysis and consideration of cleaner, cost-effective solutions such as thermal energy networks, energy efficiency, and demand management to prevent unnecessary spending on outdated and toxic gas infrastructure.
Our recent protest questions the PSC's decision-making process and its implications for achieving the state's climate goals. Once again, it appears the PSC and Governor Hochul have prioritized utility interests over the well-being of New Yorkers, exposing them to harmful environmental and costly consequences.
Read about it in Politico under Climate Collision, by Marie French. Sane Energy will not stop fighting to move New York State off fossil fuels. If the governor and her regulators continue to side with the utilities at the expense of New Yorkers, we will get louder! Please add your voice to the thousands opposed to fossil fuel expansion by telling the PSC to shut down National Grid’s dangerous LNG facility in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Take action with us and send your comment today.
Here are three more ways you can get involved this week to fight the fossil fuel industry and ensure a sustainable future for New York State:
Thur 2/20 at 7:00 pm Choose Your Own Power Hour Adventure!Public Power NY OR Renewable Heat Now
This week, we have not one but two ways to hear from the masterminds cooking up creative solutions to defeat fossil fuels and build equitable, renewable energy. On Thursday, February 20th, from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm, you can join either the Public Power New York Mass Strategy Call OR the Renewable Heat Now Power Hour.
The Public Power New York campaign is pushing for publicly owned renewable power and fighting to break up the for-profit driven utility market and bring down your bills.
Renewable Heat Now creates policies and funding opportunities to phase fossil fuels out of buildings to fight climate change, lower utility bills, and build a renewable workforce.
These meetings are a great place to learn, get plugged in, and take quick and easy but impactful actions with us.
Sun, 2/23, 3:00 pm No North Brooklyn Pipeline Fossil Fuel Walking Tour with SPECIAL GUESTS!
Our No North Brooklyn Pipeline Alliance fossil fuel walking tours reveal the inner workings of the National Grid LNG facility in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. They also help build a tight-knit community and momentum to shut the LNG depot down.
We’re thrilled to welcome a number of special guests this Sunday to educate AND entertain us: Eco-Rapper Hila The Earth, Soils Expert Ellie Phillips, Voz meditation guide Gisela Sanders Alcántara, Sean and Joe Leone from No One’s Ark on the Newtown Creek PLUS new tour guides. Are YOU interested in leading a future walking tour? Whether or not, please join us at Cooper Park and bring your friends and loved ones—it’s always a great time!
If you can’t make it in person, help us keep the pressure on the Public Service Commission to SHUT IT DOWN by filing a comment now. And please join us for our next NoNBK Fossil Fuel Walking Tour on Sunday, March 30.
We cannot wait to read your comments and see you in the streets, on the strategy calls, at the press conference (and, who knows, maybe disrupting the next PSC meeting!) Our voices will be heard. We are so grateful for your support. Together, we’ll create a sane energy future.
With all our love,
Kim, Michael, Jeanne, Elliot, JK, Hennessy, and Claire!