Fracked gas expansion on Newtown Creek by National Grid; community outraged

March 12, 2021 Clark Adomaitis

Protestors demand a stop of the use of liquefied natural gas vaporizers at the North Brooklyn Pipeline in December. Photo by Erik McGregor

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National Grid has applied for a permit from the Department of Environmental Conservation to add two new Liquefied Natural Gas vaporizers to its depot on Newtown Creek. The vaporizers would allow National Grid to pump out more fracked gas from the facility via the North Brooklyn Pipeline.

The DEC hosted three public hearings this week to hear from concerned community members and North Brooklyn elected officials. 84 people spoke in unanimous opposition.

“It’s an insult to all of us that in a floodplain, in a climate crisis, in an economic crisis, National Grid wants to expand fossil fuel infrastructure. They claim that it’s for the public good, when in fact it’s there to fill the pockets of shareholders,” said Kim Fraczek, director of Sane Energy.

National Grid’s North Brooklyn Pipeline is staunchly opposed by activist organizations because of its hazard to human health and the environment, perpetuation of climate change, and use of $185 million of ratepayer dollars.

“The project would create a hazard to environmental resources and human health. The project would increase the use of fossil fuel energy while failing to incorporate reasonably available energy conservation and renewable energy opportunities,” says Sane Energy.

“I’m appalled that we weren’t even notified,” said Elisha Fye of the Cooper Park Residents Council, which represents 701 local families. Public hearings are being held because thousands of public comments have already been submitted against the project.

National Grid testified that it did not conduct any assessment of potential adverse impacts of the expansion project on disadvantaged communities.

The next public hearing is March 18 at 5 p.m.

Sane Energy calls upon Governor Cuomo to halt the construction of the North Brooklyn Pipeline and invest in efficient and affordable renewable energy.