The Croton Board of Trustees voted Wednesday night to pass a resolution opposing “Project Maple,” a proposed fracked gas pipeline expansion by fossil fuel company Enbridge — along with several other fossil fuel infrastructure projects under consideration across the state. The move adds to growing grassroots opposition to fossil fuel buildouts in the Hudson Valley and beyond — and intensifies pressure on Governor Hochul to intervene and stop them.
Project Maple would expand the capacity of the existing Algonquin Pipeline by replacing segments with larger-diameter pipe and expanding compressor stations, increasing the volume of fracked gas moving through Westchester County and surrounding areas. The Croton resolution also voices opposition to additional fossil fuel proposals, including the Williams Constitution pipeline, the Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) pipeline, and the Pilgrim Pipeline. Advocates warn these projects are incompatible with New York’s climate targets and would pose serious health, safety, and environmental risks to communities across the state.
“This vote sends a clear message: Croton will not stand by while dangerous fossil fuel projects are forced onto our communities,” said Melissa Hoffmann, Hudson Valley Organizer with Food & Water Watch.“Project Maple is reckless, it threatens our health and climate, and it flies in the face of everything New York claims to stand for. Governor Hochul should listen to the communities that would bear the brunt of this disaster and shut it down before it goes any further.”
“We commend the Board of Trustees of Croton, New York State’s #1 Clean Energy Community, for passing a resolution opposing Project Maple’s pipeline expansion,” said Patty Buchanan, Croton100 Board Member. “Mankind has exceeded sustainable levels of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere. To stave off global warming, we must rapidly reduce fracked gas use and infrastructure.”
“We have fought and defeated fossil fuel projects like the Danskammer power plant and Williams Constitution pipeline before, and we’ll fight and defeat them again,” said Iris Hiskey Arno, Co-Chair of NYCD16/15 Indivisible’s Environment Committee. “It’s great that Croton is joining other Hudson Valley communities including Peekskill, Ossining, and Hastings-on-Hudson in taking a strong stand against threats to our water, air and climate. We cannot accept the Trump administration’s push to empower the fossil fuel industry at the expense of our communities and our planet, and we call on Governor Hochul to show she’s on our side in this critical struggle.”
“As mothers, we refuse to stand by while pipeline expansions threaten our children’s health, safety, and future,” said Donna O’Malley of Mothers Out Front, a Croton resident. “These projects endanger our communities with toxic leaks, climate chaos, and irreversible environmental damage. We demand an immediate halt to all pipeline expansions and a swift transition to clean, renewable energy. Our families deserve a safe, healthy world — and we will fight for it.”
“Look no further than the drastic weather over the course of the last 30 days: we need to find sensible solutions that do not compromise our communities,” said Maria Slippen, Croton-On-Hudson trustee. “I’m so grateful to organizations like Food and Water Watch, Mothers Out Front and Croton100 for advocating for these solutions. Their collaboration and guidance provide the framework and roadmap for municipalities to come together and be part of a better future for our children and the planet. Through their leadership, we will not be dragged backwards and erase the progress that has been made. I’m pleased to support the resolution and opposition of Project Maple and other new fossil fuel infrastructure projects that conflict with New York State’s climate goals.”
Croton-On-Hudson is the latest in a string of local governments speaking out, following the City of Peekskill, Hastings-on-Hudson, the Town and Village of Ossining, and the Rockland County legislature.
