Climate Protest at PSC over NY Heat, Iroquois Pipeline

On Thursday, February 13, climate activists disrupted the monthly meeting of the Public Service Commissioners in Albany. The immediate focus of the protest was the decision last Friday to approve the expansion of the Iroquois pipeline which builds out the fossil fuel infrastructure and will deliver more gas. The Hochul administration, while acknowledging that the expansion conflicts with the mandates of the state’s climate law, argues that it is needed to ensure delivery of services in NYC especially in cold months. The protest also highlighted the need for the state to finally enact the NY Heat Act to ensure that all state agencies, starting with the PSC, comply with the state’s climate law. We hear from a number of protestors, including Melissa from Food and Water Watch, who kicked off the protest by standing up to speak to the Commission as she was swarmed by PSC staff and state police; Michael Richardson of Third Act Upstate; Dr. Sandra Steingraber; Cary Gardner, Vice Chair of the NY Progressive Action Network; and Bill Kish of Millerton. By Mark Dunlea of the Hudson Mohawk Magazine. (full audio)