Marie French
@m_jfrench
Energy and environment for @politicony in Albany, New York. Share tips and feedback via Signal: mjfrench.29
Got any insight into federal funding issues impacting New York agencies, local governments or environmental/energy nonprofits? Or... thoughts about @GovKathyHochul delaying "cap and invest"? Reach out via Signal: mjfrench.29
Update: the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act was not sent to the floor for a vote for the second year in a row, dashing environmentalists' hopes of it becoming law this year.
ICE arrests the NYC comptroller, the Assembly's last session day is underway and the Court of Appeals weighs in on bail reform. Tuesday CapCon: capitolconfidential.com/p/its-bullshit…
Meanwhile in NYC:
Hi, this is Meg Barnette, Brad's wife. While escorting a defendant out of immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza, Brad was taken by masked agents and detained by ICE. This is still developing, and our team is monitoring the situation closely.
For key context: this system of watch/warning/emergency was only implemented in February this year. nyiso.com/-/press-releas…
For the second day in a row, the @NewYorkISO issues an "energy watch" (think tornadoes, so watch is less urgent than warning) as demand exceeds forecast and margin of reserve tightens. Voluntary reductions requested. Last night, this briefly escalated to an "energy warning."
For the second day in a row, the @NewYorkISO issues an "energy watch" (think tornadoes, so watch is less urgent than warning) as demand exceeds forecast and margin of reserve tightens. Voluntary reductions requested. Last night, this briefly escalated to an "energy warning."
the absolute softest way to say the state should do something around gas "obligation to serve" (Presentation from state staff to State Energy Planning Board today)
For posterity here’s that @NickReisman and @joeanuta story showing @ZohranKMamdani leading @andrewcuomo by 4 points, a poll and story that were derided by Team Cuomo. Turned out it actually underestimated Mamdani’s lead. politico.com/news/2025/06/1…
First poll that showed Zohran ahead was reported by Politico. It was the only poll that said that until the day before the election.
HEAT WAVE: PSEG Long Island activates voluntary smart thermostat demand response program, which customers opt in to. Homes will be pre-cooled at 3:30 p.m., then temperature will be increased for peak demand period from 4 to 7 p.m. 40k enrolled.
What kind of reactor(s) is still one of the several open questions about this plan. @NYPAenergy leader Justin Driscoll said nothing was off the table, solicitation for technology vendors (and host communities, financing partners, customers) forthcoming subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025/0…
If I’m reading this correctly New York is building a totally new type of reactor design instead of just constructing an off the shelf AP1000 of which an already trained workforce and contractor base exist? This is how you get cost blowouts and delays.
Mamdani’s victory would signal seismic shift in national politics and test for socialist movement politi.co/44fsSua via @politico's intrepid @JasonBeeferman
Hochul attempts to nationalize the "beloved" Albany phrase "Big Ugly" -- referring to a multi-part bill rolling together all the compromises nobody really loves, typically at the end of session or as one of the budget bills
What the GOP’s Big Ugly Bill would steal from New Yorkers: • $13.5 billion from health care for working people • $4.4 billion from housing for our most vulnerable • $2.1 billion in food assistance from families Just to give their billionaire buddies another tax cut.
The Assembly started more than an hour ago, and listed 6 bills for debate - subject to potential changes. None of those were the packaging/plastics extended producer responsibility bill. They are still on the first bill for debate -- and the clock is ticking.
Mamdani surges in new poll, leading Cuomo for first time in New York mayor's race politi.co/3T8rip7 w @joeanuta
Mayoral candidate @ZohranKMamdani seeks to swipe chief rival @andrewcuomo 's bridge lights (Briefly. Before they got expensive.) politico.com/newsletters/ne…
Love to see politicians reading the local news. You can read the full story here: politico.com/news/2025/06/0…
If you think Andrew Cuomo is going to save this city from the crisis he created, I have a bridge to sell you — but it won't be lit.
A Cuomo spokesperson said the dormant bridge lights would still happen in 2021, shortly before the governor announced plans to resign. At the time, Sen @LizKrueger said: “They didn’t remember that stupid idea until you came along." politico.com/news/2021/08/0…
Remember former Gov. Andrew Cuomo's bridge lights? NYPA is auctioning them off, more than 7 years later. Minimum bid? $25. Total cost of the boondoggle? $108 million. politico.com/news/2025/06/0…
Remember former Gov. Andrew Cuomo's bridge lights? NYPA is auctioning them off, more than 7 years later. Minimum bid? $25. Total cost of the boondoggle? $108 million. politico.com/news/2025/06/0…
Agency Building 3 in the Empire State Plaza was closed after a water leak earlier this week. 400 DPS staff are telecommuting and hearings being moved to other buildings
#NYSPC changes location of National Grid rate case evidentiary hearing. Link: documents.dps.ny.gov/public/Common/…
HEAT Act may be moving ahead without Western New York for now as sponsors see a path forward Utilities could choose to opt out. I'll wait to see the language but seems unlikely that Long Island or WNY or any upstate gas utilities would participate 🤔 spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny…
During floor debate in New York, Sen. Pete Harckham blames @CAgovernor Gavin Newsom running for president on major changes to extended producer responsibility rules there politico.com/newsletters/we…
