Brief
Blakeman and Pataki urge New York to resume natural‑gas drilling
The duo said the state’s ban on fracking must be lifted to lower utility costs, blaming green‑energy policies for soaring bills.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman, joined by former Gov. George Pataki, held a news conference in Washington Heights on Oct. 20, 2026, urging New York to tap its natural‑gas reserves and revive hydraulic fracturing to curb rising energy costs.
What happened
Blakeman criticized Gov. Kathy Hochul’s green‑energy agenda, calling it “bankrupting” New Yorkers. He argued that relying solely on wind and solar would be unaffordable over the next four years. Pataki added that Albany’s policies have raised taxes, electric bills, and reduced street safety since his departure in 2006. Both candidates said the state sits on one of the world’s largest natural‑gas reserves, yet current restrictions prevent extraction.
What the reports add
The New York Post article notes that Con Ed electricity bills in New York City rose 27% from 2021 to 2025, increasing the average monthly bill from $160 to $218. Upstate, NYSEG customers saw a 46% jump, with bills climbing from about $80 to $147. The piece attributes these increases to green‑energy initiatives such as wind and solar farms, according to Blakeman.
What was said
Blakeman told reporters, “We’re not going to be able to supply our energy from this day going 100% with wind turbines and solar farms… It will actually bankrupt New Yorkers if we allow it to continue over the next four years.” Pataki said, “Since I left, Albany has done three things: raise your taxes, raise your electric bill and make your streets less safe than they used to be… We’re all for renewable energy, but it has got to be part of a package that doesn’t drive up costs through the roof.”
How it came about
Energy costs have become a central issue in Blakeman’s campaign, with the candidate promising to halve utility bills if elected. The push to revive fracking follows a statewide ban enacted in 2014 by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and codified in 2021, meaning any reversal would require legislative action. The candidates framed their proposal as a “balanced approach” to energy, contrasting it with the state’s current reliance on renewable projects.
Key facts
- Bruce Blakeman and George Pataki called for New York to resume natural‑gas drilling and fracking. (nypost.com)
- Con Ed bills rose 27% from 2021 to 2025, from $160 to $218 per month. (nypost.com)
- NYSEG bills rose 46% over the same period, from $80 to $147 per month. (nypost.com)
- New York’s fracking ban was enacted in 2014 and codified in 2021. (nypost.com)
Sources
- [1] nypost.com — originally reported as “Blakeman joins former Gov. Pataki in call to tap NYS natural gas as energy prices soar”
