President Trump said he will meet with New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) at the White House on Friday to discuss plans for an energy pipeline that would run through the Empire State.
“The governor of New York Kathy Hochul, who’s a very nice woman, she’s coming in tomorrow morning at nine o’clock to meet on that and other things,” Trump told reporters on Thursday.
The president and the governor are expected to discuss his plans to approve the Constitution natural gas pipeline, which New York blocked in 2020 over related water permits.
Trump also said that the pipeline would save families $5,000 in energy costs in New York and New England.
“I hope we don’t have to use the extraordinary power of the federal government to get it done, but if we have to, we will, but I don’t think we’ll have to,” Trump said. “I can tell you Connecticut wants and all of New England wants it. And who wouldn’t want it?”
A source with knowledge of the discussion said Hochul and Trump will also be discussing congestion prices and other issues of importance to New York.
Hochul and Trump have clashed over Hochul’s congestion traffic pricing program in New York City. The program, which began in January, is aimed at reducing traffic in the city while raising money to pay for transit infrastructure. The program charges a $9 for most vehicles entering certain parts of Manhattan during rush hour.
Last month, Trump raised eyebrows when he said New York was “saved” after the administration announced it would walk back the pricing plan.
“CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED.” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “LONG LIVE THE KING!”
Hochul fired back, stating, “we are a nation of laws, not ruled by a king.” The governor has vowed to oppose Trump in court, arguing that the plan is working as congestion has dropped, commuters are getting to work faster and more people are choosing to travel to local businesses by foot.
