She takes a hard line on fossil fuels, but not what she spews.
Governor Hochul recently approved controversial legislation that would force oil, natural gas and coal companies to pay $75 billion for carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming, but a state commission He has made at least 30 private jet flights since 2021, according to the company. Election records show.
Records show the $415,000 tab was picked up by her campaign committee.
“It's such a waste, especially for an elected official. There's no reason an elected official in New York should be on a private jet. Almost anywhere in New York or upstate. [commercial] An airport that can take you anywhere in the country. “New York is one of the most accessible places on earth,” said a local pilot with experience in commercial aviation.
Over the past four years, Hochul has flown for two commercial airlines: Zephyr Jets and Apollo Jets. Although the destination is unknown, none of the tickets cost less than $5,000, and records show her most expensive trip was $38,594.00 billed on Jan. 17.
A midsize private jet flying from Albany to New York City uses about 320 gallons of fuel, about 55 times more than a passenger car, according to industry experts.
Most of the flights took place in 2022, when Hochul was in the midst of a bitter re-election campaign against former Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin, according to BOE disclosures.
However, Hochul's official schedule gave few clues as to her exact whereabouts. In May 2022, she recorded taking a “private flight” after attending a number of events, which were almost certainly fundraisers.
she April 2022 schedule It mentioned four commercial flights, all bound for airports in New York and New Jersey to attend “private events.” In May 2022, a private plane took her to the Hamptons. In August she was in Montauk.
Records show Hochul also flew to Washington, D.C., and New Orleans.
“My guess is that she's probably in California a lot because she's raising so much money,” said one Albany Democratic Party official.
A commercial flight to California on a Boeing 737-800 consumes 850 gallons of jet fuel per hour. 166 passengers, That's just over 5 gallons per person. A 10-seat midsize private jet burns about 320 gallons of fuel per hour, or 32 gallons per person.
Records show the New York Democratic Party Committee, which Hochul controls, spent an additional $75,000 on four commercial flights in 2021 and 2022. Officials said the flights were almost certainly bound for Hochul.
The high-stakes trip runs counter to Hochul's pledge to crack down on the overuse of fossil fuels.
“I am the only candidate for governor of New York who is committed to cracking down on polluters, reducing carbon emissions, and treating climate change as a crisis. Our environmental progress is at stake in November. ” said Hochul. I boasted about it on the X post. From October 2022.
The Climate Superfund, which Hochul signed into law last week, will give $75 billion to large carbon emitters, a federal law that holds polluters accountable for abandoned toxic waste sites. Proponents said it was modeled after The money received from fossil fuel companies over 24 years will go toward resilience projects such as coastal protection and flood mitigation.
Bronx Rep. Richie Torres, eyeing a potential challenge from Hochul in 2026, has become a fierce critic of Hochul, criticizing her frequent flights.
“When it comes to combating climate change, the governor has conspicuously failed to practice what he preaches. New Yorkers viscerally resent hypocrisy, and the governor's hypocrisy here is a sign of her carbon It's as alarming as the emissions,” Torres told the Post.
Hochul spokesman Brian Lentzmeyer said the trip was prompted by a post by social media detective Sam Unter, a convicted fraudster and former CFO of electronics store Crazy Eddie. It was the first time the existence of X was revealed, and it was claimed to be “strictly allocated for legitimate campaign activities.”
“As the leader of the New York State Democratic Party, Governor Hochul frequently travels to events such as campaign rallies, fundraisers, and the Democratic National Convention. These travel expenses are covered by appropriate political organizations.”
