Federal Regulators Must Halt Review of Constitution Natural Gas Pipeline After President Trump’s Explicit Threats to Cancel More Offshore Wind Projects in Retaliation Against New York
In a filing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Public Citizen argues Trump’s intimidation undermines the public interest, and requires a full evidentiary hearing
WASHINGTON — In a formal filing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Public Citizen today demanded the agency halt its pending review of the Constitution Pipeline after President Donald Trump’s threat during the NBA finals, where he stated he will start blocking offshore wind projects in New York unless the Governor fast-tracks the Constitution Pipeline.
On December 19, 2025, Oklahoma-based Williams Companies petitioned FERC for a certificate of public convenience and necessity to construct and operate Constitution, a proposed 125 mile long, 30-inch diameter natural gas pipeline from Pennsylvania to New York. The administration of New York Governor Kathy Hochul has raised numerous concerns about the pipeline and has challenged its approval.
Three days after Williams petitioned FERC, on December 22, 2025, the Trump Administration ordered a stop to every single offshore wind project under construction (the Vineyard, Revolution, Coastal Virginia, Sunrise and Empire offshore wind projects), citing non-public national security concerns. This began Trump’s coercive efforts to force the New York Governor to support the gas pipeline.
Then on June 9, President Trump escalated the attack, making remarks on the tarmac of JFK Airport after game 3 of the National Basketball Association Finals between the New York Knickerbockers and the San Antonio Spurs. During those remarks he confirmed a “deal” he had where the Governor of New York pledged to support two natural gas pipelines—including Constitution—in exchange for the President allowing offshore wind in New York had been broken by the Governor.
Trump said: “We made a deal we were going to give her a couple of windmills someplace, because she likes windmills, which is a big mistake. We made the deal, so I guess we’re withdrawing those windmills. But [in the deal] she gave us two [natural gas pipelines], one going out to Long Island, which is under construction [Northeast Supply Enhancement], and one going to New England [Constitution] . . . So we made a deal with the Governor, and she broke the deal.”
Eight days later, the President carried out his June 9 pledge, stating “so I guess we’re withdrawing those windmills.” Trump’s Department of Interior announced a settlement agreement where the American taxpayer will pay Invenergy $765 million to not develop three offshore wind projects, of which the company’s 83,976 acre New York Bight lease was the largest.
Public Citizen has documented three additional offshore wind leaseholders off New York—a $1.1 billion lease held by RWE for its Community Offshore Wind project off the coast of New York; EDF’s $780 million lease for its offshore New York Atlantic Shores project; and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners’ $285 million lease for its wind project offshore of New York—that are potential targets for the President’s retribution for Governor Hochul’s refusal to fast-track approval of the Constitution Pipeline.
Public Citizen has demanded that FERC immediately halt its review of the Constitution Pipeline and hold an evidentiary hearing to investigate President Trump’s unlawful shakedown attempt to force New York to approve an unnecessary natural gas pipeline.
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