Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
State Pols Received $1.34 Million In Donations From Frack-Happy Gas Companies
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jan 11, 2012
Modified Jan 11, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jan 11, 2012
Modified Jan 11, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Last month we learned that lobbyists for the gas industry spent $3.2 million in lobbying Albany over the last two years to influence lawmakers regarding the controversial tactic of hydraulic fracturing. Now Common Cause has released a report [pdf] detailing that gas companies have contributed $1.34 million to the state's politicians, including $153,816 to governor Andrew Cuomo. "New Yorkers need to be assured that such a controversial issue will be decided based on merit, not money," Common Cause's executive director Susan Lerner tells the Daily News.
Around 75% of the donations were given to candidates for state senate, with $448,359 given to Republican candidates, and $217,901 to Democrats. The top three companies to donate were National Grid, Con Edison, and National Fuel. Why must so much money be used to further such an environmentally benign path to total destruction energy independence? Wait, did you just feel something?
New Yorkers: today is the last day to voice your opinion about fracking to the Department of Environmental Conservation, make it count.
Tagged
Cuomo
environment
fracking
governor cuomo
hydraulic fracturing
Politics
soft money
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Driver found with apparent gunshot wound on George Washington Bridge, officials say
The westbound upper level was closed Tuesday night as Port Authority police investigated the incident.
By
Charles Lane
Published Oct 20, 2026 at 8:54 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 20, 2026 at 9:15 p.m. ET
16 arrested in New York auto insurance fraud crackdown involving nearly $500K
State officials say the cases include staged crashes and fraudulent medical claims, with seven arrests in the Bronx alone.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
16 arrested in New York auto insurance fraud crackdown involving nearly $500K
State officials say the cases include staged crashes and fraudulent medical claims, with seven arrests in the Bronx alone.
By
Giulia Heyward
Coney Island's small, 1890s lighthouse may be landmarked by the city
By
Catalina Gonella
New renderings are out for Queens' Metropolitan Park casino
By
Willow Higgins
Inside Luigi Mangione's legal strategy before his federal guilty plea
By
Samantha Max
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .