New York Governor Kathy Hochul stubbornly clings to fracking ban, ignoring economic potential and Vice President’s support.
At a Glance
- Gov. Hochul reaffirms opposition to fracking despite VP Harris’s support
- Fracking ban costs New York potential billions in revenue and thousands of jobs
- Upstate New York continues to suffer economic decline due to anti-energy policies
- Democratic-run legislature shows little interest in revisiting fracking issue
Hochul’s Fracking Ban: A Blow to New York’s Economy
In a stunning display of economic ignorance, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has doubled down on her opposition to fracking, even as Vice President Kamala Harris expresses support for the practice. Hochul’s stubborn stance threatens to keep New York locked out of a potential economic boom that could revitalize struggling upstate communities.
“We’re not fracking, we’re not burning coal. We’re not going backwards,” Hochul declared, seemingly oblivious to the economic realities facing her state.
The Economic Cost of Green Ideology
While neighboring Pennsylvania reaps the benefits of a $41 billion fracking industry that supports 123,000 jobs, New York continues to suffer from self-imposed energy poverty. A Manhattan Institute report highlighted the significant job creation and economic benefits New York could enjoy if fracking were allowed, particularly in the 22 upstate counties rich in natural gas deposits.
“Counties with high fracking potential experience a natural resources boom,” the report found, including “$400 million in gas and oil annually and increases of up to 6.1% in total income, 5.5% in employment, and 11% in salaries. Local government coffers swell by 15.5%.” – New York Post
Instead of embracing this potential windfall, Hochul remains committed to costly and unreliable “green” energy sources like offshore wind and solar, leaving upstate New York to languish in economic stagnation.
Harris Flip-Flops, Hochul Digs In
In a surprising turn of events, Vice President Kamala Harris has reversed her previous anti-fracking stance, likely recognizing the practice’s popularity in key battleground states like Pennsylvania. “As vice president I did not ban fracking. As president I will not ban fracking,” Harris stated, contradicting her 2020 campaign rhetoric.
Yet Governor Hochul remains unmoved, prioritizing the demands of environmental extremists over the economic well-being of her constituents. This ideological stubbornness is particularly galling given the dire economic situation in much of upstate New York.
Upstate New York: The Forgotten Victim
While Hochul and her downstate allies focus on appeasing climate alarmists, upstate New York continues its economic decline. The region has experienced significant population loss and stagnation, particularly in areas rich with untapped natural gas resources.
This economic disparity has left upstate communities increasingly dependent on redistributed tax revenues from New York City and its suburbs, creating an unsustainable cycle of dependency and decline.
A Path Forward: Learn from History
New York’s history offers a blueprint for economic revival. The construction of the Erie Canal in the 19th century transformed the state’s economy. Today, fracking could play a similar role in revitalizing upstate New York, if only Governor Hochul and the Democratic-controlled legislature would put aside their ideological blinders.
As it stands, Hochul’s refusal to consider the economic benefits of fracking represents a betrayal of upstate New Yorkers. By prioritizing the whims of environmental extremists over the needs of struggling communities, Hochul is condemning large swaths of her state to continued economic hardship.
