Ruffalo rallies with environmentalists ahead of gas pipeline vote

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — A meeting of the state’s energy regulators on Thursday could decide the fate of a natural gas pipeline twice denied by New York. Actor and activist Mark Ruffalo spoke out Wednesday, lending his celebrity to environmental groups opposed to new fracked gas infrastructure.

They argued that the pipeline is unnecessary and will damage the environment and residents’ finances, and joined the call of some state lawmakers urging the Public Service Commission to delay the vote. The PSC is the state’s energy regulating body.

The controversial Williams Northeast Supply Enhancement or NESE pipeline would run through New York Harbor and into Far Rockaway, Queens. The PSC is projected to endorse National Grid’s gas plan by advocates like Ruffalo who worry the vote will greenlight the pipeline.

The vote is part of the state’s review of National Grid’s 20-year roadmap for gas supply. It comes just eight days after the final public comments on the plan were submitted. Ruffalo, a longtime environmental activist in New York, said that he believes the PSC is fast-tracking the vote without properly considering those comments. He also said that the only reason the NESE pipeline is back on the table is because of pressure from President Donald Trump.

“Look around at other governors that are standing up to Trump and how he backs off every single time they stand their ground,” Ruffalo said, addressing the governor directly. “New Yorkers are looking for you to back up your tough talk with brave action. Do not cave to Trump and give him a fracked gas pipeline that the state does not need, that New Yorkers will have to pay over $1 billion for, all of our pockets. Not to mention tie us to fossil fuel prices that will only be increasing over the next 20 years as the rest of the country phases out these fossil fuels. And you’re going to pollute our most valuable resource, our water. Don’t do it. Don’t be a patsy. Don’t lay down to Trump. Stand up for New Yorkers. Be the tough governor that you say you are.”

The state’s Department of Environmental Conservation rejected the pipeline in 2009 and 2020 over potential impacts on water quality. “Nothing’s changed except our understanding of how important our environment is, how important it is that we fight against climate change and move away from natural gas and fossil fuels,” Ruffalo said.

According to Mark Izeman, a senior attorney for environmental health at the Natural Resources Defense Council, National Grid’s long-term gas plan did not originally include NESE. He said that National Grid add the pipeline to the plan in July, after Trump had a call with Hochul. He also said that National Grid used outdated data from 2024 to justify the need for the pipeline, despite demand for sharply declining.

Opponents say the NESE pipeline will stir up toxic materials in the New York Harbor, harming fisheries and other wildlife, and cost New Yorkers over $1.3 billion, adding $200 million in bills every year for more than a decade. National Grid estimated that its customers in New York City and Long Island would see a 3.5% increase in costs just to cover the construction bill.

Senator Liz Krueger, the Finance Chair, and legislative environmental committee leaders Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblymember Deborah Glick released a statement saying it is “too soon for the PSC to issue a decision on this matter.” They published a statement urging the PSC to remove the NESE pipeline vote from their September 18 meeting agenda, saying they’re “gravely alarmed” by the last-minute addition just one week after the public comment period ended.

The PSC agenda lists the item related to the National Grid long-term gas plan as Case 24-G-0248. The session starts at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday at the Capitol and will be broadcast online.

Hochul has previously said that any new energy projects, including pipelines, would have to follow New York climate law and be reviewed by state agencies. The governor has repeatedly and specifically focused on affordability for New Yorkers—not environmentalism—pointing to the issue of high energy prices.

The pipeline operator, Williams Companies, has said the pipelines are “essential to address persistent natural gas supply constraints in the Northeast.” They argue that the pipelines would lower energy costs for consumers and reduce reliance on other fuels that create more pollution. They reportedly hope to begin operating the NESE pipeline by late 2027.