Latest news with #BPU
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Thousands without power after overnight flash flooding in Kansas City metro
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Thousands of Evergy customers across the Kansas City metro are waking up without power Thursday morning as storms and flash flooding continue to affect households on both sides of the state line. Evergy is reporting more than 22,000 Kansas City metro customers without power. See the latest forecast, maps and radar for Kansas City As of 6 a.m. Thursday, the company's outage map shows at least 14,000 customers in Kansas with power out. While more than 8,000 people are without power on the Missouri side of the metro. In Wyandotte County, BPU has just over 2,000 customers who need service as of 6 a.m. Thursday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
08-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
PSE&G's Summer Relief Initiative Protecting Residential Customers From Higher Costs This Summer Moves Forward
Originally published on PSEG NewsRoom NEWARK, N.J., July 8, 2025 /3BL/ - Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) has announced the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) approved PSE&G's proposal to provide all residential customers with a temporary credit that will offer relief on their summer electric bills. The credit will combat the significant electric supply price increase that is the result of PJM's capacity price auction. PSE&G's relief measures, inclusive of a Summer Moratorium – an expansion of the Winter Termination Program and waiving reconnection fees – are part of PSE&G's proactive Summer Relief Initiative designed to protect residential customers from higher costs this summer. While addressing the immediate energy supply price concerns of our customers, PSE&G is also advocating for long-term solutions to address the power supply-demand imbalance with needed new energy generation. For the months of July and August 2025, PSE&G will apply a credit of $30, including taxes, to each residential electric customer's monthly bill. During this summer deferral period, PSE&G will continue to pay the electricity suppliers the full cost of the generation in the new electric supply rate. To recover the cost of the electricity provided and payments made to electric suppliers, PSE&G will collect from each residential electric customer's monthly bill $10 for the months of September 2025 through February 2026. As previously announced, PSE&G has decided to forego recovery of any carrying costs (i.e., interest) for the credit to customers. As part of the agreement, the BPU also approved PSE&G's proactive proposal to waive all residential reconnection fees during the period from July 1, through September 30, 2025. The Summer Moratorium, an expansion of the Winter Termination Program, begins July 1, 2025, providing utility shut-off protection to qualified individuals and will continue through the summer months until September 30, 2025. 'While there is broad recognition that utilities are not the cause of these price increases, PSE&G is pleased to work with Governor Murphy, the legislature and the BPU to develop measures to blunt the immediate impact of higher costs' said Kim Hanemann, president and COO, PSE&G. 'As we deliver immediate support for customers, it is also time to turn our collective attention to delivering long-term solutions to address the power generation supply imbalance in the state. Our state needs a strategic, thoughtful integrated system plan to meet future demands. We remain committed to collaborating with policymakers on long-term solutions.' PSE&G is proud of its track record of high customer satisfaction while maintaining customer affordability and award-winning reliable service. PSE&G combined electric and gas bills are nearly equivalent to their 2008 levels when adjusted for inflation. Long-term Solutions Needed In addition to immediate customer support, the focus must be on long-term solutions for the state's power generation supply imbalance. For several years, PSE&G has been warning about the supply and demand imbalance in the region. It is important to address the need to generate our own energy in-state with a goal to ultimately bring down energy costs for residents and businesses. We remain committed to working with policymakers regarding long-term solutions to these significant rate increases, including advancing policies that encourage the development of new power generation in New Jersey. Understanding the Impact of Summer Heat on Bills The amount of electricity needed to cool your house to 75 degrees when it's 90 degrees outside is 125% higher than when it's 85 degrees outside. Increased electric usage in summer months often coincides with high heat, frequently leading to increased electric usage as customers run their air conditioners more often. Regardless of electric rates, customers can take steps now to understand and manage their energy usage. Customers can find valuable energy efficiency information at and PSE&G Customer Assistance PSE&G works directly with its customers, and with nonprofits and community organizations who work with utility customers, to inform them about energy assistance options. PSE&G provides information regarding affordability options that customers may qualify for based on certain criteria like income eligibility (i.e., the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program [LIHEAP], or SHARES for customers who may be experiencing a temporary financial crisis). There are also additional bill payment tools to help customers manage costs, including PSE&G's Equal Payment Plan and Deferred Payment Arrangements. PSE&G's Equal Payment Plan estimates annual energy costs, and divides bills into 12 equal monthly payments, which allows customers to levelize their monthly spend expectations. Deferred Payment Arrangements allow customers to pay a portion of past-due balances over an agreed-upon period. Customers can find valuable energy assistance information at ### PSE&GPublic Service Electric & Gas Co. is New Jersey's oldest and largest gas and electric delivery public utility, as well as one of the nation's largest utilities. PSE&G has won the ReliabilityOne® Award for superior electric system reliability in the Mid-Atlantic region for 23 consecutive years. For the third consecutive year, PSE&G is the recipient of the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year award in the Energy Efficiency Program Delivery category. In addition, in 2024 J.D. Power named PSE&G number one in customer satisfaction with residential electric service and gas service in the east among large utilities. PSE&G is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Inc., (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), a predominantly regulated infrastructure company focused on a clean energy future and has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for North America for 17 consecutive years ( ). Forward-Looking StatementsThis release includes forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements regarding anticipated or expected energy savings, cost saving and greenhouse gas emissions avoidance. There can be no assurance that such energy and costs savings and greenhouse gas emissions avoidance will be realized in the amounts described and / or in the timeframes anticipated. Such statements are based on management's beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management but are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Factors that may cause actual results to differ include, without limitation: the ability to implement our energy efficiency business strategy, and customer adoption of our energy efficiency offerings. All forward-looking statements made in this release are qualified by these cautionary statements and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements The forward-looking statements contained in this Report are intended to qualify for the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. CONTACT: Media Relations: 973-430-PSEG (7734)[email protected]
Politico
23-06-2025
- Business
- Politico
Rate cushion confusion
Good morning and welcome to the weekly Monday edition of the New York & New Jersey Energy newsletter. We'll take a look at the week ahead and look back on what you may have missed last week. MANY CUSHIONS — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy's administration has created so many overlapping credits to deal with rising energy rates it's now hard to keep track of them and where the money is coming from. Some of the money is basically a loan from utility companies that customers have to pay back. Some of it comes from surcharges and fees that customers have already paid or will pay to the state but that some customers, particularly low- and moderate-income households, are getting back as targeted rate relief. Republicans have criticized Democrats for focusing on rate relief without tackling larger supply-demand issues that have driven up the prices in the first place. To clarify, here's each major bucket: $30 for two months, all residential customers: These are utility bill deferrals given by utility companies at the BPU's request. The credits will come off the July and August bills for all of the state's 3.9 million residential customers. The $60 must be paid back in $10 interest-free installments over the next six months, from September through February. $100 once, all residential customers: This comes out of the $430 million ratepayer relief package Gov. Phil Murphy and legislative Democrats announced just before the June primary election. The package includes monies from the state's Clean Energy Fund, the BPU's share of Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative proceeds, and the Solar Alternative Compliance Payment account. The BPU still needs to approve the details of this one. About $150, low to moderate income customers: Another chunk of money that comes out of the $430 million package. About 280,000 customers are expected to receive a $25 per month bill credit paid for by state subsidies from August through February. $20 to $200 per month, low-income customers: This money comes from the universal service fund, which is funded by ratepayers, and is generally for households with income at or below 60 percent of the state median income. The BPU recently approved a plan to increase the minimum and maximum credit, which was $5 and $180 in past years, and is pushing to enroll far more people because 80 percent of people who are eligible are not enrolled. — Ry Rivard HEAT WATCH: New York and New Jersey along with a large swath of the country are bracing for a brutal heat wave to kick off summer — just in time for primary day in New York. Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency in 32 counties, including New York City, after Saturday's thunderstorms and heavy rains knocked out power and drenched parts of upstate New York. Outages impacted more than 50,000 people, according to Hochul's office. Three people, including two children, were killed in Oneida County after a tree fell on their homes. New York's grid operator says the state has plenty of power to meet demand on the system during the heat wave. Some schools have announced modified schedules. Hundreds of cooling centers will be open in New York City as voters head to the polls. New Jersey's grid operator, PJM, issued an emergency alert saying it may require all generators to operate at maximum output capability. The projected demand for Monday, as of Sunday, was 160 GW. The 13-state grid's all-time, one-day highest power use was more than 165 GW in summer 2006. — Ry Rivard ICYMI: LOVETT TO HOCHUL: Former Daily News and New York Post scribe Ken Lovett is joining the Hochul administration. Lovett, a former Eichor Strategies consultant, will serve as a senior communications adviser for energy and environment — a crucial issue area for Hochul ahead of her reelection bid. The governor has discussed energy projects with President Donald Trump, conversations that have included a controversial pipeline and wind energy efforts. Lovett, a former senior adviser at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, will serve as a direct adviser to Hochul and communications director Anthony Hogrebe. 'Nobody knows state government better than Ken Lovett, and we're thrilled to have his experience and expertise as we continue to bring Governor Hochul's message to New Yorkers.' — Nick Reisman — Lovett authored an opinion piece a few months ago praising New York's progress toward renewables and supporting Hochul's exploration of nuclear energy. HAPPY MONDAY MORNING: Let us know if you have tips, story ideas or life advice. We're always here at mfrench@ and rrivard@ And if you like this letter, please tell a friend and/or loved one to sign up. Want to receive this newsletter every weekday? Subscribe to POLITICO Pro. You'll also receive daily policy news and other intelligence you need to act on the day's biggest stories. Here's what we're watching this week: MONDAY— Gov. Kathy Hochul makes an announcement at the New York Power Authority's Niagara Power Project, 11 a.m. — Environmental activists hold a press conference and rally on the 'Formosa Four' protesters' case ahead of a court hearing, 8:15 a.m., the lawn of Livingston Town Hall and Municipal Court, 357 S. Livingston Ave., Livingston, New Jersey. — The New Jersey budget deal is expected to drop early this week, with a vote expected mid to late week ahead of the June 30 deadline. TUESDAY— NYSERDA's board has committee meetings, starting at 10 a.m. WEDNESDAY— The Long Island Power Authority board of trustees meets, 11 a.m., LIPA Office, 333 Earle Ovington Blvd., 4th Floor, Uniondale. — The New York State Energy Planning Board meets, 1 p.m., Albany Capital Center. — The Hudson River PCBs Superfund Site community advisory group meets, 1 p.m., Saratoga Town Hall, 12 Spring St., Schuylerville. AROUND NEW YORK — Republican Long Island lawmakers want to save the clean energy tax credits that Congress looks poised to kill. — Newsday details the lobbying efforts that defeated a plastics and packaging reduction measure in the final days of session. — Duane Lake residents still fighting to get inclusion in septic replacement program. Around New Jersey — New Jersey lawmakers scrutinize energy-hungry data centers. — More pollution expected from New Jersey sites. — Roselle Park employees fear retaliation as town shutters site of possible toxic exposure. What you may have missed PACKAGING FALLOUT — POLITICO's Marie J. French: State lawmakers whiffed on an aggressive measure to reduce plastic and packaging waste in New York on the final day of Albany's legislative session. The Assembly did not pass the sweeping proposal to mandate reductions in packaging by producers and charge them for disposal costs. Supporters had hailed it as the strongest proposal in the country while business opponents argued it would lead to higher consumer costs and the unavailability of some packaged food products. STORAGE BIDS — The BPU approved new subsidies for batteries at its board meeting. The subsidies are dubbed the Garden State Energy Storage Program. The bid period opens next week. According to the board order, the state will target procuring 'at least 1,000 MW of transmission-scale energy storage over the course of multiple solicitations.' The first solicitation aims to award 350-750 MW by Oct. 31, with a prequalification process commencing on June 25 and final bids due Aug. 20. The board will have one or more rounds of bidding in 2026. — Ry Rivard E-BIKE BATTERY RETURNS: The Assembly gave final passage to a measure expanding the state's battery recycling requirements to cover e-bike batteries. Problems with lithium-ion e-bike batteries have caused deadly fires in New York City, with some fires starting in the waste stream once those batteries are thrown out. This bill would address disposal, requiring manufacturers of the batteries to work with retailers to accept back depleted batteries. The Department of Environmental Conservation would consult with the New York City Fire Department and others before developing regulations. Firefighters have raised concerns about the measure, proposing restrictions on accepting batteries at residential and mixed-use locations, Republican lawmakers said during the debate on the bill. 'It endangers the lives of people living in those buildings,' said Republican Assemblymember Michael Durso. Assemblymember Deborah Glick, who sponsored the bill, said she hopes the consultation requirements address some of those concerns. She said the bill would improve safety overall by removing these batteries from the waste stream. 'We have no restrictions on the sale, the repair, or the charging in any of the locations currently,' Glick said. 'They're charging them now and there are no regulations, so it seems to me this is a fairly modest proposal.' — Marie J. French 100-FOOT RULE PASSES — POLITICO's Marie J. French: Property owners looking to hook up to the state's existing gas system would face higher costs under a bill headed to Gov. Kathy Hochul's desk. Lawmakers passed an incremental measure Monday aimed at reining in the expansion of gas service. The bill requires that residential customers pay the full cost of any new pipeline to connect to the gas system. Right now, utilities pay for up to 100 feet of new pipe and pass those expenses on to other ratepayers. 'If you are putting up a new home, you should pay for the connection. That's all this says,' said Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon, the sponsor of the bill. 'And the connection, by the way, should be paid for by the person who's putting it in, instead of your neighbors — which is not a good way to get off on the right foot with your neighbors.'
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NJ moves to ease electricity rate hikes through high-use summer months
The state's Board of Public Utilities worked with New Jersey's four electric distribution companies to 'smooth the impact' of an increase in electric rates that took effect June 1. A measure approved by the board at their June 18 meeting will 'move some of the costs out of the historically high July and August bill period,' according to BPU Executive Director Bob Brabston. He explained to the board before the vote that they had 'negotiated a settlement with utilities and rate council' to allow for $30 from each monthly bill in July and August to be deferred and spread out over the course of the following six months from September 2025 to February said bills can be as much as two to three times higher in the summer than they are in other parts of the year. 'This is not perfect but it does benefit all customers,' he said before explaining it's part of an 'overall rate mitigation plan' and he's 'hopeful other things will come later this summer.' The state's four electric distribution companies are Public Service Electric and Gas, Jersey Central Power and Light, Atlantic City Electric and Rockland Electric Company. BPU Commissioner Zenon Christodoulou thanked the utilities for moving forward quickly but said that ultimately the agency has to do more to communicate with customers that the 'only lever they have is to use less' energy. 'It is not perfect. There is no silver bullet here,' BPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy said. 'They're outside of the control of this agency, but it doesn't mean that we don't all share some responsibility to help to reduce costs, particularly in these very, very high-usage months.' The board also approved additional assistance for low income residents. It will provide $48.7 million for the Residential Energy Assistance Program to ratepayers eligible for winter-shutoff protections. They will be applied as $25 credits over the course of seven months, from August 2025 to February 2026, for $175 of benefits in all. This program started last year as a one-time credit of $175 in August. The BPU also increased the minimum for monthly utility credits in the Universal Service Fund from $5 to $20, and the maximum monthly credit from $180 to $200. It is unclear which of these initiatives are part of the $430 million investment Gov. Phil Murphy announced on June 5 while flanked by Guhl-Sadovy and several Trenton lawmakers, but at Wednesday's meeting, Guhl-Sadovy said the administration and the agency were 'committed to addressing rising energy costs.' Murphy's program has not yet been approved by the agency. The governor called his plan "direct economic relief" to residents facing significant utility rate hikes this summer. It would provide relief of at least $100 from every household's energy bills and up to $250 from those most vulnerable. The program for low- and moderate-income households will provide $150 in relief spread across bills from July through December, while everyone — including those receiving the $150 — will get $100 in "one or two payments when the bills are hurting the most," Murphy said. The money will come from the Clean Energy Fund, the BPU's share of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and the Solar Alternative Compliance Payment Fund. This article originally appeared on NJ moves to ease electricity rate hikes during peak summer use
Politico
02-06-2025
- Business
- Politico
New rates, same blame game
Presented by National Fuel Good morning and welcome to the weekly Monday edition of the New York & New Jersey Energy newsletter. We'll take a look at the week ahead and look back on what you may have missed last week. RATE BLAME GAME — Electric rates for New Jersey power customers went up nearly 20 percent on June 1, and lawmakers and state utility regulators are still trying to figure out what to do. Despite several months of legislative hearings, committee work and floor votes, no new legislation to tackle the issue has reached Gov. Phil Murphy's desk. The Board of Public Utilities has asked for, but has yet to formally consider, plans by utilities to help cushion the blow and it seems likely that additional rate relief could come in the budget. Meanwhile, the blame game continues. The latest salvos came when environmental activists protested outside PJM's headquarters last week with signs like, 'Bills too high? PJM is why,' to which PJM responded that the groups were 'protesting the results of their own actions' and said the protest was an exercise in 'blame shifting.' So, FWIW, a quick recap of who is blaming who: PJM: The grid operator whose auction last summer was responsible for the bulk of the rate increases cited a supply-demand crunch it's long warned about, state clean energy policies that haven't panned out with new generation and local permitting challenges that keep projects from getting built. Gov. Phil Murphy and most Democrats have attacked PJM, largely citing the backlog of energy projects PJM has been unable to handle, delaying the construction of new power plants by years. 'In New Jersey, we're doing our part by bringing new resources to the market and making electricity more affordable for families and businesses as we look to a clean and resilient energy future,' the governor said in a statement last fall. 'However, our grid operator must work in lockstep with the states and recognize that the market isn't responding quickly enough due to current conditions of slow interconnection.' Some Democrats have also attacked utility companies, which are not responsible for generation costs in New Jersey, and the BPU itself. 'The BPU has become a dumping ground for politicians,' Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop said during a recent gubernatorial primary debate. Republicans have criticized the BPU and the Murphy administration generally, in particular the governor's focus on offshore wind — a bet that didn't pan out, leaving the state starved of major new generation sources. Some Republicans have also criticized Murphy administration efforts to cushion the blow of cost increases, calling the timing of ideas to defer and spread out the rate hikes a political stunt, since it would keep bills from spiking before the election even though it would not actually save money for customers. Utilities have tried to distance themselves from the rate increases, which are beyond their control in New Jersey, but that is an uphill battle, since the higher bills will come with their names on them. They have also raised their hands to build new power plants, if lawmakers felt inclined to undo the 1999 law that broke up vertically integrated utilities. Merchant power companies who sell the power that is costing more argue that bills have been rising due to transmission and distribution costs, which utility companies do control. — Ry Rivard SAA WHAT — POLITICO's Ry Rivard: Jersey Central Power & Light is about to spend $380 million on transmission projects meant to bring offshore wind power ashore — but first the company is asking the Board of Public Utilities whether the state is sure it wants the work done. In 2022, the BPU approved $1 billion in onshore grid upgrades meant to accommodate future wind farms. (For those following closely, these are the State Agreement Approach projects PJM keeps talking about, also known as SAA.) But now the offshore wind industry is in turmoil, with every project that New Jersey had been planning for dead or delayed. In a May 23 regulatory filing made public on Wednesday, JCP&L is curious whether it still has the green light to build projects to support the industry given 'new facts and circumstances.' The company said it needs this guidance primarily because of the Trump administration's opposition to offshore wind in the state, but also because of delays in getting necessary local permits and a pause in the approval process for a low-interest federal loan worth up to $716 million. The company is currently supposed to begin construction on hundreds of millions of dollars in projects this summer. HAPPY MONDAY MORNING: Let us know if you have tips, story ideas or life advice. We're always here at mfrench@ and rrivard@ And if you like this letter, please tell a friend and/or loved one to sign up. Want to receive this newsletter every weekday? Subscribe to POLITICO Pro. You'll also receive daily policy news and other intelligence you need to act on the day's biggest stories. Here's what we're watching: TUESDAY— The Department of Environmental Conservation holds a hearing on 'cap and invest' reporting rules, 1 p.m., DEC Region 7 Headquarters, 5786 Widewaters Parkway, Syracuse. Environmental advocates will hold a press conference before the hearing at noon. WEDNESDAY— The Department of Environmental Conservation holds a hearing on 'cap and invest' reporting rules, 1 p.m., DEC Central Office, 625 Broadway, Albany. Environmental groups hold a press conference beforehand, noon. THURSDAY— Environmental groups hold a rally in support of NY HEAT, 10 a.m., Albany. AROUND NEW YORK — Sen. Liz Krueger floats a regional approach to transitioning the gas system. TBD if this trial balloon sinks or rises. — DEMS: FUND BOEM: Democrats, including Reps. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) and Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), are pushing for 'robust funding' so the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management can do 'timely review and permitting of offshore wind projects,' despite the Trump administration efforts to halt offshore wind development. In a recent letter to the chair and ranking members of the House's Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Subcommittee, 17 Democrats said 'supporting offshore wind is a national security imperative.' — Ry Rivard Around New Jersey — The Sierra Club endorsed Rep. Mikie Sherrill's campaign for governor on Friday. Ben Jealous, the Sierra Club's executive director, called the Democrat 'a critical voice for protecting public health and lowering costs.' — Flooding could lead to migration. AROUND THE NATION DOE STOPS SECOND PLANT FROM CLOSING: The federal Energy Department invoked emergency powers Friday to again keep a power plant operating ahead of its planned closure. The department's emergency order directs the region's grid operator, PJM Interconnection, to ensure units at the Eddystone generating station stay running in order to minimize the risk of power outages. The plant, located south of Philadelphia, had been slated to close Saturday. The order points to statements from PJM that its system faces 'growing resource adequacy concern,' in part due to load growth and the retirement of dispatchable resources. The planned retirement of Unit 3 and Unit 4 — each with 380 MW capacity — 'will exacerbate these resource adequacy issues,' the order said. The units can run on either natural gas or oil, depending on market conditions, according to operator Constellation Energy. PJM said in a statement that it supported the move, calling it a 'prudent, term-limited step that will retain the covered generators for a 90-day period' and allow further analysis on the longer-term need and viability of the generators. The order comes days after the department similarly invoked an emergency to keep a coal plant in Michigan running this summer. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, speaking at the Reagan National Economic Forum on Friday, touted that action and pointed to recent blackouts in Louisiana. 'That's why we don't want to just go around closing firm, reliable power plants because it's fashionable,' he said. Kit Kennedy, power sector managing director at the Natural Resources Defense Council, said the actions 'to keep these zombie plants online' were about 'a power grab; not a power emergency.' — Kelsey Tamborrino ICYMI: The Conversation kicked off with Dr. Oz In the premiere episode of The Conversation, Dasha Burns sat down with Dr. Mehmet Oz — now leading the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services — for a candid talk on drug prices, potential Medicaid cuts and why he's getting early morning calls from President Donald Trump. Plus, POLITICO's Jonathan Martin dished on the Ohio governor's race (featuring Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy and former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel), and Kyle Cheney unpacked Trump's legal battle over 'Liberation Day' tariffs. Watch the full episode on YouTube. And don't miss a moment — subscribe now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to get new episodes when they drop. What you may have missed PIPELINE PROJECTS RELAUNCHED — POLITICO's Marie J. French: Two major interstate pipelines to boost gas supply in the Northeast have been resurrected, setting up a test of New York's climate law. Pipeline developer Williams Companies announced Thursday that it's moving forward with both the Constitution and Northeast Supply Enhancement pipeline projects, which were previously rejected by former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The pipelines have been a major priority for President Donald Trump. Gov. Kathy Hochul has signaled openness to new gas pipelines, including during talks with Trump about restarting construction of an offshore wind project. 'My message is what I told the president: it's that I will make sure that any applicant for a pipeline — or any energy project — follows all state, local and federal law,' Hochul told reporters Thursday. 'That being said, we can look at this expansively — also consider the benefits at a time when energy costs are through the roof.' 'I have to look at this in a different lens and I'll continue being committed to our climate goals — I believe in them — but also the realization that we have to be more open-minded and expansive,' she added. 'They will have to follow our laws.' Her office has said there was no agreement on a pipeline linked to the Empire Wind restart. New York's climate law requires major emissions reductions that rest on electrifying buildings and cutting the use of natural gas. Environmental groups argue any new gas supply flies in the face of those requirements. Hochul, just after she became governor, blocked permits for two natural gas power plants and cited the state's climate law. But she's become more focused on affordability and reliability issues as those concerns have grown in recent years. Last year, she approved increased gas supply via an existing pipeline that state experts found was needed for reliability. — Phil DeCicco, National Grid's general counsel for New York, said, 'We understand Williams has submitted a permit application for the Northeast Supply Enhancement Project. We will continue to work closely with our regulator as well as state and federal partners to evaluate all options to address the region's growing and critical energy needs.' — FROM THE NOTEBOOK: The governor said she 'went to the mat' on Empire Wind over concerns about energy needs in New York City. 'I have said I'm open to nuclear,' she said on Thursday. 'That may be a radical thought to people but I need to power this state, take the economic burden and the cost off my citizens and my residents, but also be able to prepare for the innovation and the jobs that are coming here.' CLEAN FUEL STANDARD PUSH — POLITICO's Marie J. French: Democratic state lawmakers and environmental advocates are pushing a controversial policy to promote low-carbon fuels in the waning days of the Albany legislative session. The concept has been kicking around Albany for years, and the debate over it remains contentious. The renewed push behind a low-carbon fuel standard is facing an uphill battle in the Assembly, but supporters are now pressing for the market-based policy as the Trump administration moves to erase California's clean car rules, which New York adopted. 'New York has to lead,' said Julie Tighe, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters, at an Albany press conference this week. 'We cannot let four years go by without taking real action to transition away from fossil fuels and Washington, D.C. is not going to help.' The state's climate law requires a dramatic ratcheting down of greenhouse gas emissions, including an 85 percent reduction from 1990 levels by 2050. New York is not expected to meet the near-term 40 percent reduction target by 2030. Transportation is one of the largest sources of emissions in New York, but the Legislature has implemented few policies to address the sector in recent years. The state did adopt regulations — enshrined in law — to mandate an increasing level of electric vehicle sales. Those clean car rules face an uncertain future though, after Congress voted earlier this month to overturn the ability of California and other states to implement the program. ICYMI: BUS TERMINAL — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy met in Hell's Kitchen Thursday afternoon for a ceremonial groundbreaking to replace the Port Authority bus terminal. There was no love lost for the 70-year-old building that Hochul called 'basically a hellhole' and Rick Cotton, executive director of the Port Authority, said is 'one of the most reviled buildings in America.' For decades, there has been talk about replacing the bus terminal but plans went nowhere. Now, though, the two states are on the same page — thanks largely to a functional Port Authority with former New Jersey state Sen. Kevin O'Toole as chair and Cotton at the helm. (Amazing aside: O'Toole said every Port Authority vote in the past eight years has been unanimous.) Plus, the money for the $10 billion, decade-long project seems to be there — $6 billion from the Port Authority, nearly $2 billion from the federal government and another $2 billion expected from city payment in lieu of taxes. 'This will be a transportation hub that welcomes travelers,' Murphy said. Roughly 200,000 NJ Transit commuters — far more than take the agency's trains — use the bus terminal each weekday. The first phase of construction is a staging area for construction and buses that, when the new terminal is built, will be turned into a playground. Spotted at the announcement: Rep. Jerry Nadler, state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, City Council Member Erik Bottcher, building trades leader Gary LaBarbera and First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro — but not his boss, Mayor Eric Adams. — Ry Rivard SENATE TAKES ON PLASTICS: The Senate passed a sweeping measure to reduce plastics and packaging waste on Wednesday evening. The measure, which would also eventually ban certain toxic chemicals from packaging, faces intense opposition from the chemicals and packaged foods industry. Opponents say the bill will raise consumer costs and make some convenient packaged foods unavailable on store shelves in New York. Those concerns are gaining traction with some Assembly Democrats, who worry about affordability. The Senate passed the packaging bill last year — but it did not get to a vote in the Assembly, where it faces a tougher path. Assemblymember Deborah Glick, who sponsors the bill, last week said she remained 'guardedly optimistic' it would pass this session. She said the study circulated by business groups showing higher consumer costs included products that aren't covered in the bill. Consumer Reports found there's no evidence it will result in cost increases and a Columbia University report found a potential $4 monthly increase, a point Sen. Pete Harckham raised during the Senate debate. He also cited savings for local governments by shifting recycling costs onto producers, although there's nothing requiring municipalities to cut taxes. 'This bill is not designed to put direct cash in people's pockets, but there are also going to be health saving costs,' Harckham said. Republican lawmakers raised concerns about companies being unable to comply with some of the bans on specific chemicals in packaging. Harckham said there's a waiver process available. 'They're saying the technology doesn't exist for a lot of the mandates that are in this legislation,' said Republican state Sen. Dan Stec. 'This is going to cost our residents.' Business groups have pushed an alternative bill that would give companies more control over reduction efforts and doesn't ban any chemicals from packaging. 'The problem with some of their packaging is that it's got toxic substances that are going to leach into our food,' Glick said. The ban on specific chemicals doesn't take full effect for five years, when DEC will set a limit that is the lowest achievable level. 'We understand we're up against big money but I think that we either have to do something to protect the public in a very minor way or just fold up the tent and let the industry do whatever it wants,' she added. — Marie J. French STATE FINALLY PLANS FOR EV CHARGING: New York is setting up an interagency working group to supercharge the state's efforts to electrify vehicles. The group will be tasked with developing a coordinated strategy to deploy EV charging infrastructure, including fast chargers on highways by leveraging new funding approved in the state budget. The working group will try to maximize usage of state-owned property for charging stations. The new working group comes after federal action to roll back California's sales mandates for electric cars and trucks that New York has adopted. The Department of Environmental Conservation is offering a two-year delay of any penalties under the program, which California plans to sue to uphold. The group will also consider how to address grid reliability as EV adoption increases and support commercial fleets creating transition plans — issues the Department of Public Service has been working on for years. Gov. Kathy Hochul last year vetoed a measure requiring the state to craft a fast charging station plan. — Marie J. French CONGESTION PRICING GETS MORE GOOD NEWS — The federal judge who issued a temporary order on Tuesday preventing the Trump administration from killing New York's congestion pricing went one step further on Wednesday. In a second ruling this week, U.S. District Court Judge Lewis Liman issued an order that keeps congestion pricing alive until he rules on broader issues in the case. Those issues — largely whether Trump Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has the authority to unilaterally cancel the program — will not be teed up for him until fall and Liman expects to rule 'before the end of the year.' To be clear: The injunction is a major victory for the MTA and congestion pricing supporters and an indication that Liman is persuaded by New York's arguments against the Trump administration. Duffy's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. — Ry Rivard
