Authors
Colin Kinniburgh
Colin Kinniburgh is a reporter at New York Focus, covering the state’s climate and environmental politics. Over a decade in media, he has worked in print, television, audio, and online news, and participated in fellowship programs at CUNY’s Graduate School of Journalism and the Metcalf Institute. His reporting has appeared in outlets including France 24, Grist, Dissent, and The Nation.
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New York Begins Exploring Non-Renewable Energy to Meet Climate Target
Biofuels, hydrogen, carbon capture, and nuclear: These are some of the technologies that will be on the table as New York weighs how to clean up its grid over the next 17 years.
May 22, 2023
Are Your Gas Bills Paying for the Campaign Against Banning Gas?
National Fuel customers paid for a website directing New Yorkers to oppose electrification mandates, documents show.
May 17, 2023
Why You’re Still Paying for Someone Else’s Gas Line
New York law requires utilities to build out gas infrastructure at customers’ expense. The Senate wants to close the spigot.
April 18, 2023
Hochul’s Top Court Pick Represented Chevron in Climate Case Against Steven Donziger
Private attorney Caitlin Halligan helped let Chevron off the hook for billions of dollars it owed Ecuadorians over the company’s pollution of the Amazon.
April 17, 2023
Hochul Throws Climate ‘Grenade’ Into Budget Talks
Last-minute legislation would transform New York’s climate law, allowing significantly higher emissions over the next decade.
April 4, 2023
Inside the Fossil Fuel Industry’s ‘Existential’ Battle Against New York’s Climate Plan
Deceptive Facebook ads, hundreds of thousands of mailers to customers, six-figure lobbying campaigns — here’s how fossil fuel companies are fighting to keep electrification at bay.
March 27, 2023
Fossil Fuel Companies Enlist Customers to Fight New York’s Climate Law
National Fuel urged customers to oppose a gas appliance ban. It’s just one strategy in the fossil fuel industry’s mounting offensive against climate action.
March 7, 2023
Meet the Top Private Earners Among New York Lawmakers
A handful of state legislators made far more from second jobs than they did representing their constituents, a New York Focus analysis found. Find your rep in our database.
March 1, 2023
The Corporate Lawyer Moonlighting as a New York Assemblymember
Keith Brown makes $142,000 representing his Long Island district — and about half a million representing corporate real estate interests.
February 21, 2023
What Kathy Hochul’s Budget Tells Us About New York’s Cap-and-Invest Plan
And what it doesn’t.
February 1, 2023
NYCHA’s Rehab Push Brought Jobs — Just Not for Its Residents
Under federal law, the public housing agency is required to hire low-income tenants. Records show it has often missed the mark.
January 25, 2023
Kathy Hochul Calls for ‘Cap and Invest’ to Slash Emissions
The idea is winning over skeptics. Will the harmony last when it’s time to hammer out the details?
January 11, 2023
Hochul Pushes Changes to Carpet Bill, Igniting Bitter Debate Over ‘Chemical Recycling’
Some environmentalists say the amendments would allow unacceptable pollution. Others argue they’re missing the point.
December 23, 2022
New York Finally Has a Climate Plan. Now Comes the Hard Part.
More than three years after the state passed its sweeping climate bill, the ball is back in lawmakers’ court.
December 20, 2022
Hochul Vetoed Water Protection Bill Because New York Lacks the Staff to Enforce It
Two years ago, Andrew Cuomo vetoed a clean water bill, citing staff cuts. Last Friday, Kathy Hochul used the same argument to turn it down again.
December 15, 2022
The Cap-and-Trade Fight Comes to New York
While the state climate council weighs a “cap-and-invest” program, environmental justice groups are pressing for new taxes on the rich and the polluters.
December 5, 2022
To Meet Climate Mandate, New York Needs to Learn How to Build Clean Energy Again
After a decade of building virtually no large-scale renewables, New York is planning to build enough to power millions of homes over the next eight years. What will it take to pull it off?
November 21, 2022
Meet the Moguls Fueling Lee Zeldin’s Super PAC Boost
New York Focus found six big spenders who have poured money into PACs backing Kathy Hochul’s Republican challenger.
November 4, 2022
Most of New York Gas Tax Holiday Savings Don’t Go to New Yorkers, Analysis Finds
Out of every dollar the gas tax suspension costs the state, less than 50 cents are going into New Yorkers’ pockets.
October 26, 2022
New York’s Crypto Moratorium Would Leave Most Mining Untouched. There’s Another Reason the Industry Is Up in Arms.
A much-debated moratorium wouldn’t affect any crypto mining projects under development, but an accompanying environmental study could bring unwelcome scrutiny.
October 20, 2022