Gov. Kathy Hochul Faces Fierce Backlash from Environmental Groups Over Big-Spending Lobbyists
A new report by a coalition of environmental groups has revealed that lobbying firms for fossil fuel and utility companies have sunk $16 million into influencing Gov. Hochul's decisions since she took office in 2021, a staggering 52% increase from the start of the reporting period.
The report, compiled by research nonprofit Little Sis, analyzed data from publicly available government filings from August 2021 through August 2025, and found that lobbying efforts by fossil fuel and utility companies have corresponded with Hochul's retreat from New York's ambitious climate and clean energy goals. Critics argue that these efforts threaten to further entrench the state's dependence on fossil fuels.
According to the report, many of the sector's lobbying efforts targeted the state climate law and related legislation, with major players including the American Chemistry Council, which spent $3.3 million between August 2021 to August 2025, followed closely by National Fuel, a gas drilling and pipeline company that serves Western New York.
Utility companies Con Edison and National Grid are also among the biggest spenders on lobbying, claiming their efforts in Albany are simply part of doing business.
"We advocate for practical solutions that serve our customers and the communities we power," said Jamie McShane, spokesperson for Con Edison. However, environmental advocates argue that these efforts amount to little more than corporate interests seeking to line their own pockets at public expense.
"This is money they're spending on professionals whose job it is to influence government, to secure policy that benefits the companies themselves and their bottom line," said Robert Galbraith, lead author of the report.
The increased lobbying efforts have sparked growing frustration among environmental groups, who point out that Hochul's administration has recently approved a contentious new pipeline for New York City, entered into an agreement with upstate cryptominers to renew an air permit, and paused the All Electric Buildings Act, which would ban gas hookups in new buildings.
The top spender, American Chemistry Council, accused environmental advocates of being "disingenuous" by suggesting Hochul's decisions are driven by corporate interests rather than what benefits New Yorkers most.
"Hochul makes decisions based on what most benefits New Yorkers," said Ken Lovett, Hochul spokesperson. "Today that means advancing policies that keep the lights on and driving costs down statewide."
However, others see through this spin, arguing that the sheer scale of lobbying efforts indicates a clear pattern of influence peddling by fossil fuel and utility companies.
"It certainly seems like the price tag for getting a pro-fossil fuel agenda enacted is about $16 million in lobbying fees," said Lee Ziesche, spokesperson for Public Power NY. "Unfortunately, regular New Yorkers can't afford this kind of lobbying, so we have to rely on organizing to build enough power to make Governor Hochul do the right thing."
A new report by a coalition of environmental groups has revealed that lobbying firms for fossil fuel and utility companies have sunk $16 million into influencing Gov. Hochul's decisions since she took office in 2021, a staggering 52% increase from the start of the reporting period.
The report, compiled by research nonprofit Little Sis, analyzed data from publicly available government filings from August 2021 through August 2025, and found that lobbying efforts by fossil fuel and utility companies have corresponded with Hochul's retreat from New York's ambitious climate and clean energy goals. Critics argue that these efforts threaten to further entrench the state's dependence on fossil fuels.
According to the report, many of the sector's lobbying efforts targeted the state climate law and related legislation, with major players including the American Chemistry Council, which spent $3.3 million between August 2021 to August 2025, followed closely by National Fuel, a gas drilling and pipeline company that serves Western New York.
Utility companies Con Edison and National Grid are also among the biggest spenders on lobbying, claiming their efforts in Albany are simply part of doing business.
"We advocate for practical solutions that serve our customers and the communities we power," said Jamie McShane, spokesperson for Con Edison. However, environmental advocates argue that these efforts amount to little more than corporate interests seeking to line their own pockets at public expense.
"This is money they're spending on professionals whose job it is to influence government, to secure policy that benefits the companies themselves and their bottom line," said Robert Galbraith, lead author of the report.
The increased lobbying efforts have sparked growing frustration among environmental groups, who point out that Hochul's administration has recently approved a contentious new pipeline for New York City, entered into an agreement with upstate cryptominers to renew an air permit, and paused the All Electric Buildings Act, which would ban gas hookups in new buildings.
The top spender, American Chemistry Council, accused environmental advocates of being "disingenuous" by suggesting Hochul's decisions are driven by corporate interests rather than what benefits New Yorkers most.
"Hochul makes decisions based on what most benefits New Yorkers," said Ken Lovett, Hochul spokesperson. "Today that means advancing policies that keep the lights on and driving costs down statewide."
However, others see through this spin, arguing that the sheer scale of lobbying efforts indicates a clear pattern of influence peddling by fossil fuel and utility companies.
"It certainly seems like the price tag for getting a pro-fossil fuel agenda enacted is about $16 million in lobbying fees," said Lee Ziesche, spokesperson for Public Power NY. "Unfortunately, regular New Yorkers can't afford this kind of lobbying, so we have to rely on organizing to build enough power to make Governor Hochul do the right thing."
The numbers are crazy! $16 million is a lot of cash and I think it's safe to say that these big companies are pulling strings behind the scenes. 
It's no wonder that climate and clean energy goals are being pushed aside - there's just too much money on the table for fossil fuels and utilities. 
The fact that they're targeting legislation like the state climate law is just a red flag to me. I don't think Con Edison or National Grid can claim that their lobbying efforts are just "part of doing business" when you consider the impact it has on our air quality and future. 
These corporations need to put the people over profit - we can't afford to have them dictating policy like this. 
. It's clear they're buying influence and shaping policy to suit their own interests, not what's best for us or the planet 
. $16 million is a lot of money, especially when you consider how many good causes could be funded with that kind of cash 
. I'm all for some business being done in Albany, but this feels like a blatant conflict of interest 
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. The fact that these big oil and utility companies are shelling out 16 million bucks to grease Gov. Hochul's wheels is just plain wrong 
It's like they think they can buy their way into making our state even more dependent on fossil fuels 
. And don't even get me started on Con Edison and National Grid – it's like they're trying to pass off their corporate interests as "practical solutions" for the public good 
. I've been using renewable energy sources at home for years, but these guys just want to keep raking in the dough 
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The report highlights some shady tactics too, like Con Edison claiming they're just doing business as usual 
to hear that fossil fuel and utility companies are spending so much money to influence Gov. Hochul's decisions 
i mean, shouldn't we be looking out for what's best for our planet and people, not just the bottom line? 