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A row of electric Lion school buses charge at a row of charging stations.
‘In a Bind’: Some New Yorkers Reject Transition to Electric School Buses, Despite Mandate

New York’s push for electric school buses by 2027 has districts across the state struggling with voter approval and funding.

Bianca Fortis   ·   December 18, 2024
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.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   November 27, 2024
A photo collage, photo of smoke billowing above trees in Jennings Creek layered over an photo of brush on fire.
New York Isn’t Ready to Fight More Wildfires

New York could see more frequent and destructive blazes, but the state doesn’t have enough forest rangers and firefighters to respond to the growing threat.

Nathan Porceng   ·   November 26, 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.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   November 19, 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?

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   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.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   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.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   October 11, 2024
Kathy Hochul in front of a map of New York Route 17.
A $1.3 Billion Project That Would Save Drivers Six Minutes Max

As the state’s plans to get New Yorkers out of their cars stall, Governor Hochul is championing a highway expansion in the Hudson Valley.

Sam Mellins   ·   September 24, 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.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   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.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   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.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   August 29, 2024
Hochul at a podium
Hochul Punts on How to Reduce Traffic and Pollution in NYC

Hochul says she’s working with the legislature to replace congestion pricing, but key legislators say they aren’t aware of any conversations.

Sam Mellins   ·   August 9, 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.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   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.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   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.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   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.

Sam Mellins and Colin Kinniburgh   ·   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.

Colin Kinniburgh and Julia Rock   ·   June 10, 2024
Kathy Hochul in front of traffic
Is Hochul’s Plan to Stop Congestion Pricing Legal?

Lawsuits had threatened to kill congestion pricing. Now, it might take a lawsuit to save it.

Julia Rock   ·   June 6, 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.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   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.

Julia Rock and Colin Kinniburgh   ·   April 19, 2024
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