New York · Governor · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Where do the candidates stand on energy and climate?
Bruce BlakemanRepublican
Kathy HochulDemocratIncumbent
Part of the full New York Governor comparison · Last reviewed October 21, 2026
Energy & Climate
Each position is labeled by what it rests on: a campaign proposal, a public statement, a past action such as a vote or lawsuit, or an enacted policy. Where nothing is documented, the page says so.
Documented positions
Bruce Blakeman
Proposes lifting the fracking ban, repealing state green energy mandates and the all-electric building law, and returning NYSERDA ratepayer funds; says he would cut utility bills in half.
Show the evidence (3)Hide the evidence
- Campaign proposalMay 8, 2026
His plan would seek repeal of the state's green energy mandates, which he calls a "scam," order the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to return $2.4 billion collected from ratepayers for green energy projects, and repeal the law requiring all-electric new construction; he says the plan would cut utility bills in half. He says he supports an "all of the above" policy including fossil fuels, next-generation nuclear power and renewable energy. 2 sourcesBlakeman lays out ‘all of the above’ energy policy (opens in a new tab)Watertown Daily Times, via The Daily News (Batavia) · May 8, 2026 · NewsBruce Blakeman reveals one issue 'off the table' in NY governor race as he slams Hochul's 'green energy scam' (opens in a new tab)New York Post, via AOL · Dec. 21, 2025 · News
- Campaign proposalJune 12, 2026
Supports ending the state's ban on fracking to develop natural gas in the Southern Tier, saying it would lower utility rates; the day after the Oct. 13 debate he promoted a pledge to declare an energy emergency to allow fracking. 3 sourcesHochul defends fracking ban as Blakeman presses for it to be overturned (opens in a new tab)Spectrum News · June 12, 2026 · NewsHochul, Blakeman talk debate performance after clash on NY1 (opens in a new tab)Spectrum News NY1 · Oct. 14, 2026 · NewsHochul keeps Trump center stage as Blakeman softens praise in lone governor debate over ICE, crime and affordability (opens in a new tab)amNewYork · Oct. 14, 2026 · News
- Public statementOct. 13, 2026
In the Oct. 13 debate he criticized the state's one-year moratorium on new data centers, arguing New York was turning away investment and that local officials could decide on projects in their communities. SourceHochul keeps Trump center stage as Blakeman softens praise in lone governor debate over ICE, crime and affordability (opens in a new tab)amNewYork · Oct. 14, 2026 · News
- Campaign proposalMay 8, 2026
His plan would seek repeal of the state's green energy mandates, which he calls a "scam," order the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to return $2.4 billion collected from ratepayers for green energy projects, and repeal the law requiring all-electric new construction; he says the plan would cut utility bills in half. He says he supports an "all of the above" policy including fossil fuels, next-generation nuclear power and renewable energy. 2 sourcesBlakeman lays out ‘all of the above’ energy policy (opens in a new tab)Watertown Daily Times, via The Daily News (Batavia) · May 8, 2026 · NewsBruce Blakeman reveals one issue 'off the table' in NY governor race as he slams Hochul's 'green energy scam' (opens in a new tab)New York Post, via AOL · Dec. 21, 2025 · News
- Campaign proposalJune 12, 2026
Supports ending the state's ban on fracking to develop natural gas in the Southern Tier, saying it would lower utility rates; the day after the Oct. 13 debate he promoted a pledge to declare an energy emergency to allow fracking. 3 sourcesHochul defends fracking ban as Blakeman presses for it to be overturned (opens in a new tab)Spectrum News · June 12, 2026 · NewsHochul, Blakeman talk debate performance after clash on NY1 (opens in a new tab)Spectrum News NY1 · Oct. 14, 2026 · NewsHochul keeps Trump center stage as Blakeman softens praise in lone governor debate over ICE, crime and affordability (opens in a new tab)amNewYork · Oct. 14, 2026 · News
- Public statementOct. 13, 2026
In the Oct. 13 debate he criticized the state's one-year moratorium on new data centers, arguing New York was turning away investment and that local officials could decide on projects in their communities. SourceHochul keeps Trump center stage as Blakeman softens praise in lone governor debate over ICE, crime and affordability (opens in a new tab)amNewYork · Oct. 14, 2026 · News
Kathy Hochul
Signed 2026 changes replacing the climate law's 2030 emissions mandate with a 2040 target, citing costs; enacted energy rebate checks and utility rate reforms; proposes new nuclear reactors.
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- Enacted policyMay 2026
Signed budget legislation, passed by the Legislature on May 26, 2026, that replaced the 2019 climate law's requirement to cut greenhouse-gas emissions 40% by 2030 with a target of a 60% cut by 2040, to be pursued "to the maximum extent feasible" and in a "cost-effective" way; gave the state until 2028 to adopt emissions regulations; and changed how the state counts emissions, moving to a 100-year standard for the warming effect of gases such as methane and no longer counting emissions from fossil fuels imported into the state. She said the state could not meet the existing timelines without driving energy costs higher. 4 sourcesState Legislature votes to roll back NY’s landmark climate law (opens in a new tab)Gothamist, via WAMC · May 26, 2026 · NewsNew York state gives up on its most ambitious climate targets (opens in a new tab)Canary Media · May 27, 2026 · NewsHochul: $268B budget has climate, car insurance changes (opens in a new tab)Spectrum News · May 7, 2026 · NewsNew York replaces 2030 emissions goal with 2040 target (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia News · May 26, 2026 · Reference
- Enacted policyMay 28, 2026
Her fiscal 2027 budget sends $1 billion in one-time energy rebate checks ($200 for joint filers with incomes under $150,000 and $150 for those between $150,000 and $300,000), requires utilities to present budget-constrained options when seeking rate increases, bars charging customers for lobbying, political contributions and certain travel, and creates a commission to study rising utility bills. 2 sourcesHochul signs $268.5 billion budget for New York State (opens in a new tab)WRGB CBS 6 Albany, via CNY Central · May 28, 2026 · NewsGovernor Hochul Signs Budget That Makes New York More Affordable, Keeps New Yorkers Safe And Expands Opportunity For All (opens in a new tab)LongIsland.com · May 28, 2026 · News
- Public statementJan. 13, 2026
In her January 2026 State of the State address, announced efforts to build four gigawatts of new nuclear reactors, on top of the one gigawatt she directed the state power authority to build in 2025, and proposed making data centers pay their share of grid upgrades. SourceOn Energy and Climate, Hochul Goes Nuclear: State of the State 2026 (opens in a new tab)New York Focus · Jan. 14, 2026 · News
- Enacted policyMay 2026
Signed budget legislation, passed by the Legislature on May 26, 2026, that replaced the 2019 climate law's requirement to cut greenhouse-gas emissions 40% by 2030 with a target of a 60% cut by 2040, to be pursued "to the maximum extent feasible" and in a "cost-effective" way; gave the state until 2028 to adopt emissions regulations; and changed how the state counts emissions, moving to a 100-year standard for the warming effect of gases such as methane and no longer counting emissions from fossil fuels imported into the state. She said the state could not meet the existing timelines without driving energy costs higher. 4 sourcesState Legislature votes to roll back NY’s landmark climate law (opens in a new tab)Gothamist, via WAMC · May 26, 2026 · NewsNew York state gives up on its most ambitious climate targets (opens in a new tab)Canary Media · May 27, 2026 · NewsHochul: $268B budget has climate, car insurance changes (opens in a new tab)Spectrum News · May 7, 2026 · NewsNew York replaces 2030 emissions goal with 2040 target (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia News · May 26, 2026 · Reference
- Enacted policyMay 28, 2026
Her fiscal 2027 budget sends $1 billion in one-time energy rebate checks ($200 for joint filers with incomes under $150,000 and $150 for those between $150,000 and $300,000), requires utilities to present budget-constrained options when seeking rate increases, bars charging customers for lobbying, political contributions and certain travel, and creates a commission to study rising utility bills. 2 sourcesHochul signs $268.5 billion budget for New York State (opens in a new tab)WRGB CBS 6 Albany, via CNY Central · May 28, 2026 · NewsGovernor Hochul Signs Budget That Makes New York More Affordable, Keeps New Yorkers Safe And Expands Opportunity For All (opens in a new tab)LongIsland.com · May 28, 2026 · News
- Public statementJan. 13, 2026
In her January 2026 State of the State address, announced efforts to build four gigawatts of new nuclear reactors, on top of the one gigawatt she directed the state power authority to build in 2025, and proposed making data centers pay their share of grid upgrades. SourceOn Energy and Climate, Hochul Goes Nuclear: State of the State 2026 (opens in a new tab)New York Focus · Jan. 14, 2026 · News
Recorded votes on energy and climate
Selected votes
Bruce Blakeman
No selected votes for this candidate
Kathy Hochul
North American-Made Energy Security Act (H.R. 1938, 112th Congress)
EnergyWould have directed the president to coordinate federal agencies' review of the Keystone XL oil pipeline, from Alberta to the U.S. Gulf Coast, on an expedited schedule and to issue a final order granting or denying its presidential permit by Nov. 1, 2011.
Passed the House 279–147 on July 26, 2011; placed on the Senate calendar July 28, 2011, and did not become law.
2 sourcesRoll Call 650: H.R. 1938, North American-Made Energy Security Act, On Passage (opens in a new tab)Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · July 26, 2011 · Legislative recordH.R.1938 - North American-Made Energy Security Act (112th Congress) (opens in a new tab)Library of Congress (Congress.gov) · Legislative recordVoted yesU.S. House · July 26, 2011
On Passage
House roll call 650, 2011 (official record, opens in a new tab)SourceRoll Call 650: H.R. 1938, North American-Made Energy Security Act, On Passage (opens in a new tab)Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · July 26, 2011 · Legislative record
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