Brooklyn Boro

Opinions & Observations: Another problem with gas pipelines: digging in the wrong places

April 30, 2020 Lois Pinetree
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TO THE EDITOR:

While celebrating Earth Day 2020, Brooklyn, Staten Island and Rockaway residents may wish to know about a clear and present danger to our waters and shorelines.

National Grid is asking New York state for a rate increase to pay for the Williams NESE Pipeline. The NESE would originate in Pennsylvania, tunnel through New Jersey and trench deep into our pristine waters from Raritan Bay all the way to the Rockaways, passing Staten Island and Coney Island on its way, kicking up sediment and toxins long buried under the sea floor. Our beautiful beaches may be affected, as well as fishing and kayaking in our neighborhood bays and shorelines.

We don’t want this pipeline, and we don’t want the billion-dollar price tag for fracked gas which is not in demand. Gas demand has not risen in New York City for the past two years and likely will not in the future, thanks to increased efficiency, renewable sources and commitments from state and city alike to move away from fossil fuels.

New York State has denied this pipeline twice, and should make its final determination next month. I urge all New York City residents to oppose the Williams NESE Pipeline and to call Governor Cuomo at 877-235-6537, asking him to do the same.

In other environmental news, National Grid ceased work on its North Brooklyn Pipeline on March 26 after a public outcry that the company was endangering its employees by sending them to work amid the coronavirus pandemic. National Grid plans to eventually restart the controversial project, which will build an underground gas main beneath Williamsburg and Greenpoint. 

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  1. SchroedingersDog

    Gas is the cleanest full-time reliable energy supply that is readily available, And pipelines are the cleanest safest way to move it. If the Author wants to be forced into oil heat and oil or coal fired electricity, so be it.
    Or 3/4 of New York metro area could be bulldozed and re-populated with windmills, that would supply about enough electricity for the rest. One would still have to build gas turbine plants to provide power during lulls in the wind.