June 18, 2026

Trump Administration Backs Down on Wind Fight

Offshore wind here to stay, judge ruling stays

After years of attacks on offshore wind, clean energy advocates scored a big win: the Trump Administration backed down. Earlier this week it dropped its appeal in a lawsuit challenging its effort to halt federal approvals for wind projects.

New York State and others sued the administration, arguing that it lacked the authority to indefinitely and arbitrarily freeze permitting for new wind development. By abandoning the appeal, the administration effectively left in place a lower court ruling that rejected its attempt to block wind projects through executive action.

This win will help New York speed up our already impressive forward motion on offshore wind, a cornerstone of our state's strategy to reduce climate pollution, create jobs, and meet growing energy demand. And it will help keep our energy costs down in a world where oil and gas prices are volatile and higher than ever.

Read more here from E&E News, and Inside Climate News.

Zombie Pipeline Returns From the Dead

Our response: Absolutely not! 

Just when New Yorkers thought the Constitution Pipeline was finally buried, Donald Trump’s EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is trying to bring it back from the dead. Our response: Absolutely not.

Zeldin, who used to represent Long Island in Congress and won our sister organization’s Oil Slick award over a decade ago, is pushing New York to revive the long-defunct Constitution Pipeline, a fracked gas delivery project that was rejected by state regulators as too dangerous and abandoned years ago.

Speaking in Binghamton, Zeldin called on New York to reverse course and approve the project, even though state regulators already ruled that it would pollute our waterways and endanger public health and safety.

Read our statement in response.

In the Clean Energy Transition, Facts Matter

There's been a lot of misinformation spreading around about this project.

As New York works to build the clean energy projects needed to meet growing electricity demand and reduce climate pollution, misinformation continues to be one of the biggest obstacles.

A recent Post-Star editorial highlights the Fort Edward Solar Project, which received state approval after years of review, public input, and project revisions. Opponents have continued to raise concerns, but supporters point out that the project underwent extensive scrutiny and was modified to address environmental impacts.

As New York works to meet its climate and clean energy goals, projects like Fort Edward will be critical to reducing reliance on fossil fuels and building a more sustainable energy system. While every project deserves careful review, decisions should ultimately be guided by science, evidence, and the public interest.

A Major Clean Energy Milestone: CHPE Comes Online

In HUGE news, this will deliver clean hydropower from Canada directly to NYC

After more than 15 years of planning, permitting, and construction, the Champlain Hudson Power Express is officially complete.

The 339-mile transmission line will deliver clean hydropower from Canada directly to New York City, providing enough electricity to meet up to 20% of the city's power needs while helping reduce climate pollution and strengthen grid reliability. State officials estimate the project could cut carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons through 2040.

As New York works to meet growing energy demand and achieve its climate goals, major transmission investments like CHPE are essential for moving clean energy where it is needed most. Despite years of opposition and delays, the project is now delivering clean power to New York at scale — and demonstrating that when big clean energy projects get built, they can and have an impact.

Read more from NYSERDA and New York Times.

EANY in the News

Environment & climate wins and losses in the past NYS legislative sessionBloomberg Law: New York Green Advocates Reckon With Climate Loss to Hochul

“There are 10 states in the US that have had binding climate targets on the books, and this moves New York to the back,” said Vanessa Fajans-Turner, executive director of Environmental Advocates NY.

Radio Kingston: The "Reality" of NY's Climate Law

EANY’s Vanessa Fajans-Turner: “There is a real affordability crisis happening in New York State and around the country right now and I'm grateful that our political leaders are attuned to it.” 

Gothamist: Trump’s renewed push for controversial upstate pipeline spells bad news for bats

EANY’s Katherine Nadeau: “The threats are clear. New Yorkers deserve clean water and clean drinking water, and the courts have upheld the state's decision to protect our water. We need New York state to stand strong.”

Syracuse.com: Food ‘sell by’ dates, whatever they mean, are about to expire in NY. Here’s why

EANY’s Claire Walsh Winsler: “Confusing and inconsistent food date labels have long driven unnecessary food waste and higher grocery bills…. [this bill is] “a major step toward reducing food waste and lowering costs for New Yorkers.”

State of Politics: New York state Legislature passes bill limiting PFAS in drinking water

EANY’s Rob Hayes: “With the EPA abandoning its mission to protect New Yorkers from poisons in our water, our state needs to step up and today the Assembly unanimously joined the Senate in doing that.”

PV Magazine: New York legislature passes SUNNY Act plug-in solar legislation

EANY’s Katherine Nadeau: “Under the SUNNY Act, even people living in apartments will be able to make the choice to replace some of their fossil fuel use with solar energy they capture themselves. It’s an example of how thousands of small choices by ordinary New York families can add up to a big impact, and take us closer to the zero-emission future we’re all working toward.”

WAMC: Environment & climate wins and losses in the past NYS legislative session

EANY's Claire Walsh Winsler said myriad concerns from residents were addressed in a data center moratorium, such as, “My water quality is being affected; the noise is up; my energy bills are going up because the data centers are making the costs rise.” She noted there were few answers to such questions, “So, what made the most sense was a moratorium on citing and new data center facilities in New York State.”

Join the Fight for a Cleaner, Healthier Future

Your generous support has been crucial in advancing New York’s environmental priorities. But we need your help to keep up the fight, especially in these times. By donating to Environmental Advocates NY, you’ll bolster our efforts to lead on the issues that matter most to all New Yorkers — clean air, safe water, and a sustainable future. Please give today, and power our work for a healthier state.