New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo defeated actress Cynthia Nixon by more than 30 percentage points in the state’s gubernatorial Democratic primary. Cuomo, seeking his third term, took 65.6% of the vote and will face Republican Dutchess County Executive Marcus J. Molinaro in the November general election. Under Cuomo, the state has banned high-volume hydraulic fracturing and denied permits and approvals for natural gas pipeline projects. During the primary campaign Nixon pushed him to do more, calling for an outright ban on gas pipelines and gas-fired power plants. It was reminiscent of his successful 2014 primary battle with Zephyr Teachout, a decidedly anti-fossil fuel candidate, who also lost her primary battle for state attorney general to Letitia James by nearly 10 percentage points.

Total SA senior executives Momar Nguer, president of Total Marketing Services SA (TMS) and Philippe Montanteme, senior vice president for TMS strategy marketing research, have joined the board of natural gas transportation fuel provider Clean Energy Fuels Corp. Total is the largest shareholder in the Newport Beach,CA-based business, gaining a 25% interest after investing $83.4 million earlier this year T. Boone Pickens, 90, who founded Clean Energy, will continue as a director emeritus.