09/14/2025
My name is Peggy Moise, and I live in Hempstead, New York. I am a mother of three, two of whom have disabilities. Almost a year ago, my children and I were unfairly evicted by a greedy landlord. Since then, we have been forced to move from shelter to shelter, struggling to find stability. And the most heartbreaking part? My middle child, who is only 19, has been separated from us and is now living in a shelter himself.I havenāt been able to work because my oldest child needs special care. And as a Black mother, I know firsthand how hard it is to get him the support he deserves. But I refuse to stay silent. I have spent years fighting for justiceāwhether itās housing, education, immigration, or climate. Because all of these struggles are connected.And thatās why I am here today:To say NO to the Williams NESE pipeline and NO to higher bills and more pollution.This pipeline would raise our utility bills by 3.5%. For the average family in New York, thatās about $150 more a year ā or about $12 to $15 more every single month.Now, that might not sound like much to a millionaire CEO making $15 million a year. But for me, as a single Black mother, $12 a month is real money. Thatās a gallon of milk, a loaf of bread, and a dozen eggs. Thatās bus fare for my kids to get to school. Thatās money that could go toward my rent, or toward keeping the lights on.Sometimes I already have to choose between paying a bill or feeding my children. This pipeline would make that struggle even harder ā while gas company executives cash in on guaranteed profits.And what do we get in return? More pollution. This pipeline would pump out 8 million tons of climate-heating pollution every year. Families like mine already live with higher rates of asthma and health problems. My childrenās health matters more than corporate profits.Governor Hochul says sheās for the people, but right now she is fast-tracking Trumpās agenda ā cutting out public hearings, silencing our voices, and siding with gas companies over families.So today I am making it clear:Governor Hochul, stand up to Trump. Deny the Williams pipeline permits. Invest in families like mine, not corporations that exploit us.We cannot afford higher bills. We cannot afford more pollution. And we cannot afford to let our childrenās futures be sacrificed for corporate greed.The time for excuses is over. The time for action is now.
