Fossil fuel, utility lobbyists targeting Gov. Hochul with big spending, new report shows

Lobbying firms for fossil fuel and utility companies have spent about $16 million to influence Gov. Kathy Hochul since she took office in 2021, according to a new report by a consortium of environmental groups – a 52% spike from the start of the reporting period.

The research nonprofit Little Sis analyzed data from publicly available government filings from the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying from August 2021 through August 2025. The spending has corresponded with Hochul’s retreat from New York’s lofty climate and clean energy goals that gained significant momentum under former Gov. Andrew Cuomo – a retreat that has raised alarms among environmental groups. 

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