New Yorkers for Affordable Energy (NYAE) Backs Hochul CLCPA Adjustments, Launches Energy Affordability & Pipeline Capacity Campaign as Natural Gas Access Emerges as Immediate Affordability & Reliability Solution
New Yorkers for Affordable Energy (NYAE) — a coalition of labor unions, employers, trade associations, and energy‑dependent industries — today applauded Governor Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders for taking the first step in delivering energy affordability to New Yorkers by recalibrating the mandates of the Climate Leadership Community Protection Act. NYAE also announced the launch of a six‑figure energy affordability and pipeline capacity advocacy campaign by their members; highlighting the real solutions to drive down energy costs for families and businesses.
NYAE has been a persistent voice in Albany advocating for affordable energy since well before the CLCPA’s enactment in 2019 by then-Governor & now-failed mayoral candidate, Andrew Cuomo. With electric reliability margins now at historic lows and energy bills continuing to strain working families, NYAE’s campaign focuses on delivering immediate solutions — cutting unnecessary mandates, restoring ratepayer relief, and advancing infrastructure that supports union jobs and grid reliability.
The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) has warned that Summer 2026 reliability margins are the lowest in recent history, leaving New York highly vulnerable during prolonged heat events—particularly in New York City and Long Island.
An immediate opportunity for relief, Williams’ proposed Constitution Pipeline is a shovel‑ready solution to persistent natural gas supply constraints affecting New York and New England. The project would deliver approximately 650,000 dekatherms per day of natural gas from the Marcellus & Utica Shale Regions of Pennsylvania, USA — enough to serve the daily energy needs of about 3 million homes while directly interconnecting with Tennessee and Iroquois interstate pipeline systems via Iroquois’ Wright Interconnect Project, reinforcing regional energy network resilience. Based on an independent study by Standards & Poor’s Global (S&P), Constitution will provide New York with $4.7 billion in total savings resulting in $165 million in annual consumer energy cost savings.
In alignment with NYAE’s push for expanded pipeline capacity infrastructure, all of the following quotes were submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) during the Notice of Scoping comment period on the Williams’ Constitution Pipeline and Iroquois’ Wright Interconnect Projects which concluded on May 4, 2026.
“Projects of this scale provide significant opportunities for family-sustaining jobs and our apprenticeship programs.” – Michael Makarski, Director of External Affairs, Engineer Labor-Employer Cooperative – IUOE Local 825
“This project is important to our workers and their communities—it guarantees quality income and job security.” – David Horn, Business Agent, Laborers Local 158 (LIUNA)
“In the absence of [the Constitution pipeline], the region remains more vulnerable to energy disruptions and increased reliance on higher-cost or higher-emission alternatives. For the building trades, projects of this scale provide significant opportunities for family-sustaining jobs and our apprenticeship programs.” – Tom Ryan, Business Manager-Secretary Treasurer, Boilermakers Local 5
“This project is designed to address a clear gap in the regional energy system by connecting reliable and affordable natural gas supplies to existing infrastructure in New York.” – Thomas A. Callahan, IUOE Local 15, 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D, 15G, & 15H
“The Constitution Pipeline will support the achievements of public health and climate benefits without foreclosing the state’s support of other energy technologies… [it] will generate significant energy and economic benefits for New York State.” – Ken Pokalsky, Vice President, NYS Business Council
“The Constitution Pipeline will help address serious energy system shortfalls while reducing winter price spikes.” – Donna DeCarolis, NYS Climate Action Council Member & retired utility executive
“Pipeline infrastructure connecting producing regions to constrained northeastern markets can help improve system flexibility and strengthen energy security.” – Daniel Ortega, Executive Director, New Yorkers for Affordable Energy
“New York’s ability to remain economically competitive is directly tied to its energy policy decisions. Projects like the Constitution Pipeline and Wright Interconnect are part of a pragmatic, balanced solution.” – Mike Fazio, Executive Director, New York State Builders Association
“In a market where the average cost of a new home continues to rise, reducing underlying cost drivers is essential to delivering homes the average American can afford.” – Sean Behl, Government Affairs Coordinator, Northeastern Retail Lumber Association (NRLA)
“Now more than ever, our country needs more energy infrastructure. This project benefits the national interest of American security as well as the wallets of its citizens.” – Robin Rorick, Vice President of Midstream, American Petroleum Institute
“Additional interstate natural gas transportation capacity into the Northeast is essential to maintaining safe, reliable, and affordable energy service for homes, businesses, and critical facilities, particularly during sustained cold weather events.” – “José Costa, President & CEO, Northeast Gas Association
“Constitution is an indispensable piece of infrastructure needed to ensure long‑term energy affordability, maintain grid reliability, and unlock billions of dollars in economic benefits for millions of Northeast residents.” – Senator Ryan Fazio, Connecticut State Senate (36th District)
“With Constitution providing increased reliability and its economic benefits, NY (will be) on a positive pathway to strengthening its ongoing energy transition.” Undersigned members of the NYS Senate & Assembly
NYAE and its diverse members’ six‑figure advocacy campaign will press policymakers and energy providers to advance immediate reliability solutions like the Constitution Pipeline, cut excessive regulations and fees, return surplus collections to ratepayers, and ensure New York’s energy transition protects workers, families, and national security.
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