Advocates and elected officials gathered outside ConEd's construction site in Peekskill Friday to protest its decision to expand fracking in Westchester County.

They said the energy company will increase gas prices by nearly $2 billion to double the size of the Cortlandt "Gate Station" fracked gas pipeline.

They added that the utility is moving forward with this project, despite environmental concerns and community opposition.

"Not only is this the wrong direction, it's something that the people of New Yorker state cannot afford," said Westchester County Legislator Catherine Borgia.

News 12 reached out to Con Ed for a comment. In a statement, the utility responded, "Our planned investments will steer New York away from fossil fuels, promote the use of electric heat pumps, energy-efficient appliances, electric vehicle chargers, battery storage and more."