Greenpoint’s $68.6M environmental overhaul completed after ExxonMobil settlement

September 26, 2024 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor

Newtown Creek. Photo: Paul Frangipane/Brooklyn Eagle

Share this:

In celebration of Climate Week, Attorney General Letitia James and DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar announced on Wednesday the successful completion of the Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund, which invested more than $68.6 million into green infrastructure and environmental programs for the Greenpoint community.

The fund was established as part of the 2010 settlement with ExxonMobil, holding the company accountable for a massive oil spill that contaminated more than 50 acres of soil and groundwater in the Brooklyn neighborhood.

“After we held ExxonMobil accountable for its careless destruction of the Greenpoint environment, the Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund has invested millions of dollars in restoring the neighborhood and bringing residents together,” said Attorney General James.

“From a new public library to vibrant green space improvements, this community-led effort directly supported the initiatives that residents wanted. It has been an honor to work so closely with this community and our partners at DEC to deliver a cleaner, healthier and greener Greenpoint for generations to come,” she added.

The Greenpoint Library and Environmental Education Center on Norman Avenue, a state-of-the-art facility funded by the Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund, serves as a hub for sustainability and environmental education in the community. Opened as part of the $68.6 million environmental investment program, the library features dedicated green space and offers ongoing programming for residents to learn about environmental stewardship. Screenshot via Google Street View

Since its inception, the GCEF has awarded 77 grants to a variety of projects designed to improve Greenpoint’s environmental health. These initiatives included the construction of the Greenpoint Library and Environmental Education Center, tree-planting programs and extensive upgrades to local parks. The fund was created with community input in an attempt to ensure that the investments addressed the specific needs and desires of Greenpoint residents.

“The successful implementation of the Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund is an excellent example of state government working with New Yorkers to hold responsible parties accountable for legacy industrial pollution to benefit both community residents and the environment,” said DEC Interim Commissioner Mahar.

One of the major projects funded was the $5 million state-of-the-art Greenpoint Library, which also received $100,000 in ongoing support for environmental education. Other key investments included the Greening Greenpoint initiative, which planted more than 1,000 new trees and 27,000 plants across the neighborhood, and the restoration of Msgr. McGolrick Park. These projects have transformed the area, promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship for generations to come.

“Four years after opening the Greenpoint Library and Environmental Education Center, I am thrilled to report it is one of the busiest branches in the borough,” said Linda Johnson, president and CEO of the Brooklyn Public Library. “Working together with the community, and with the generous support of GCEF, we were able to turn the tragedy of an oil spill into a modern, green library which will serve the community for generations to come.”