Opinions & Observations: National Grid’s plan to bring more fracked gas to NYC
The message bears repeating over and over: The climate crisis is here, it is affecting all of us, and New York City does not need more fossil fuel infrastructure. We need renewable and sustainable alternatives that make our future safer. But we’re still fighting battle after individual battle. This time, it’s against National Grid’s plan to add more natural gas facilities in Brooklyn, particularly in Greenpoint.
New Yorkers won the fight to stop the Williams NESE fracked gas pipeline in May 2020. Instead of listening to their customers and providing plans for renewable alternatives, the utility is instead trying to get more fracked gas into the city by way of several smaller plans involving expansions of current infrastructure.
National Grid has repeatedly tried to fudge the numbers, choosing to use outdated data that artificially inflate gas “demand.” We do not need more gas. National Grid has even said they can meet the new demand for heating, hot water, and cooking without increasing demand by using energy efficiency, demand response, and heat pumps.