Governor’s Bill Would Prohibit Offshore Drilling Infrastructure in New York Waters

May 9th, 2018

On Friday, Gov. Cuomo announced legislation that would prohibit the leasing of lands, including underwater lands, for offshore drilling, exploration or infrastructure such as pipelines in state waters. The proposal is in response to the Trump Administration’s plan to expand offshore oil and gas exploration.

While we’re not sure whether anyone is interested in drilling for oil or gas in the state’s offshore waters, the Governor’s announcement is just another example of the state’s hostility to energy development.

In 2014, Gov. Cuomo outlawed the development of the state’s natural gas resources, even as the “shale gas revolution” has help buoy the nation’s economy by producing jobs and affordable natural gas.

More recently, New York State has taken steps to prevent natural gas infrastructure, such as pipelines and compressor stations, from being built. These are mistakes that are undermining efforts to grow the Southern Tier and Upstate economies. Other states have developed comprehensive rules and regulations relating to energy development that reflect both environmental and economic concerns.

New York’s leadership needs to rethink its current energy policies before the cost of heat and electricity become unaffordable for most New Yorkers.