Authors
Colin Kinniburgh

Colin Kinniburgh is a reporter at New York Focus, covering the state’s climate and environmental politics. He has worked in media for more than a decade, across print, television, audio, and online news, and participated in fellowship programs at CUNY’s Graduate School of Journalism, the Metcalf Institute, and the NYU Stern School of Business. His reporting has appeared in outlets including France 24, Grist, Dissent, and The Nation.

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Workers walk inside of a New York City water tunnel.
Leaky Pipes Are Costing New York Billions of Gallons of Water per Year

Most utilities barely track how much water they lose to leaks, but one thing is clear: Aging infrastructure is costing customers.

November 27, 2024
A collage with the background image of three wind turbines in the ocean. Overlayed is an image of President-elect Donald Trump with his fist in the air.
Donald Trump Could Blow a Big Hole in New York’s Climate Plan

Offshore wind is crucial to the state’s plans for cleaning up its electric grid, and construction is already behind schedule. The incoming president could slow it down a whole lot more.

November 19, 2024
A roll of "I Voted" stickers
How Low Voter Turnout Helped Trump Gain Ground in New York

Trump picked up some votes in New York this year. But Democrats lost far more.

November 9, 2024
In Brief: Has New York Built Its Last Fossil Fuel Plant?

Some want New York to rethink its climate mandates. Could new gas plants be on the table?

November 5, 2024
AI Isn’t Coming to Crash New York’s Electric Grid. Yet.

Major new tech facilities are not expected to overload the state’s grid — but New York City could fall short of power in the early 2030s without creative solutions, according to a key study.

November 1, 2024
Someone rinses their hand with water from a rusty lead pipe in a park.
New York Is on the Hook for Billions to Replace Lead Pipes

New rules from the Biden administration require water utilities to replace all lead pipes. That could cost New York $2.5 billion or more, kicking off a fight over who pays.

October 11, 2024
Are Eric Adams and Kathy Hochul Still Friends?

The mayor and governor have long hailed their partnership. Will it survive federal corruption charges?

September 26, 2024
The image depicts a traffic jam in New York City, with a cluster of yellow taxi cabs at the front.
New Yorkers Are Driving More, Even as Climate Plan Hinges on Driving Less

From New York City to Buffalo, people are driving a lot more than they did before the pandemic.

September 17, 2024
Solar Companies Scammed Queens Homeowner Into Predatory Loan, Lawsuit Alleges

The retiree says a local rooftop solar company and its partners forged her signature to sign her up for a loan she could not afford.

September 11, 2024
Hochul reading a piece of paper against the backdrop of energy bills
As Utilities Push for Higher Energy Bills, Will New York Fund the Watchdogs Pushing Back?

New York’s consumer advocacy groups struggle to compete with well-funded utilities and corporations. Lawmakers want to level the playing field.

August 29, 2024
A distorted image of transmission lines.
New York’s Energy Transition Faces a Staffing Shortage

The state’s energy regulator has more work than ever — and far fewer employees than it did three decades ago.

August 7, 2024
An electric MTA bus is charging at an electric charging port.
New York Idles on Green Transportation Plan

As the state has backpedaled on congestion pricing, it has made no progress on nearly half of its other transit-related climate goals.

July 15, 2024
Governor Hochul in front of
Missed Deadlines Pile Up As New York’s Climate Law Turns Five

The state is blowing past key milestones on the way to its big emissions targets.

June 19, 2024
Traffic on a Manhattan street
Hochul Halts Congestion Pricing as Manhattan Traffic Reaches Record High

The constant gridlock is a major drag on Manhattan’s businesses, and source of frustration for commuters. And it’s never been so bad.

June 12, 2024
A house damaged by a storm, set against a background of oil rigs.
Could New York Force Insurance Companies to Drop Fossil Fuels?

As climate disasters threaten a home insurance crisis, a new state bill aims at the problem’s root.

June 10, 2024
Sarahana Shrestha holding a sign that says "Public Power Now"
Public Power Push Spreads to the Hudson Valley

State lawmakers are set to introduce a sweeping proposal for a public takeover of Central Hudson, the region’s scandal-plagued gas and electric utility.

May 16, 2024
Carl Heastie in front of gas pipelines
Assembly Spikes Biggest Climate Proposal in New York Budget

The Assembly rejected legislation that would have sped up New York’s transition away from gas.

April 19, 2024
Transmission lines running through the North Country.
Clean Energy Transmission Battle Pits Speed Against Worker, Farm Protections

The Assembly and Senate want to beef up labor standards and farmland protections for clean energy projects. Developers say that would slow down the energy transition.

April 5, 2024
A closeup photo of a natural gas stove flame
After Scolding by Regulator, National Fuel Renews Campaign Against Gas Transition

State investigators accused the gas utility of “sloppiness” in managing customer funds, but took a light touch in enforcement.

April 1, 2024
A digital illustration shows two rolls of $100 bills spewing natural gas emissions over a blue sky.
Hidden Subsidies Prop Up New York’s Fossil Fuel Industry

The state wants to phase out fossil fuels. Localities have given over a billion dollars in tax breaks to help keep them around.

February 2, 2024
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