See interactive online map with route demographics created by Fractracker Alliance.
We oppose fossil fuel expansion in North Brooklyn. And we refuse to pay for it.
Right now, National Grid is expanding a massive fracked gas transmission pipeline in North Brooklyn. It is call the Metropolitan Reliability Infrastructure (MRI) or as we dub it, the North Brooklyn Pipeline. This project is not a replacement of leaking pipelines, it is and expansion to charge us, the rate-payers, millions of dollars in rate hikes to fill their shareholders pockets. Their current segment includes the installation of approximately 6,200 feet of new pipeline along sections of Flushing Avenue, Bushwick Avenue, Moore Street, Manhattan Avenue, and Montrose Avenue.
Their goal is to complete this phase of the project in the Fall of 2020, and then move into Williamsburg and Greenpoint, Brooklyn leading to an expansion of a liquefied gas (LNG) and compressed gas (CNG) depot on the Newtown Creek. Right now, they do not have the permits to move into the last phase. They need $185 million in a rate hike from YOU to complete this project.
Our goal is to stop this project and push the Governor to invest in renewable energy and efficiency that is affordable and accessible to all New Yorkers regardless of income or zip code.
Our Presentation, Click through to learn more!
The No North Brooklyn Pipeline campaign is organized or supported by :
Cooper Park Resident’s Council
District 14 Green Alliance
with crucial leadership by Senator Julia Salazar, Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, Councilmembers Antonio Reynoso and Steve Levin, Congressmember Nydia Velazquez, Congressmember Carolyn Maloney, and many other crucial leaders in our city
Context & Current Issues
Background
National Grid is proposing to raise New Yorkers’ monthly bills in order to complete a new 30inch high-pressure fracked gas transmission pipeline through Brooklyn destined for a National Grid depot on Newtown Creek where they plan to expand Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) storage and vaporizers plus trucking transport plans to and from North Brooklyn with points in Long Island and Massachusetts.
National Grid is asking the NYS Public Service Commission (PSC) to approve:
$185 million from rate-payers to finish the current pipeline phase under construction in Bushwick and then continue the pipeline into East Williamsburg and Greenpoint
$23million to replace two old vaporizers at the Greenpoint LNG facility
$54million to add two NEW vaporizers to the Greenpoint LNG facility
$31.5million over the next 4 years to add “portable LNG capabilities at the Greenpoint site that will allow LNG delivered via truck to on-system injection points.” They are currently seeking a variance from NYC for permission to bring LNG trucks onto city property. Right now, it is currently illegal.
Project Status
National Grid is currently constructing Phase 4 of the pipeline, but they do not have permission or funding to build north of Montrose Avenue in Bushwick. The current National Grid rate case proceeding is in its final phases of discovery, testimony, cross-examination, and will soon be hearing final briefs from parties to the rate case. The Administrative Law Judges overseeing the proceeding will review all parties’ information, and make a recommendation to the Public Service Commission, a five person panel appointed by Governor Cuomo to regulate our utilities, at their monthly meeting, potentially at the April or May meeting.
We oppose the MRI Pipeline for the following reasons:
This is not about “modernizing” our system for heating and cooking. This is about an expansion to charge rate-payers an increase and grow profits for National Grid’s shareholders.
This is a transmission pipeline. It will not service the affected community where the already trafficked main thoroughfares and already stressed trucking routes for local businesses will be dug up.
This project holds us back on our renewable energy goals. We should be mandating any gas pipelines should be replaced with shared geothermal loops, and energy efficiency measures in our buildings.
Gas pipelines are not safe. Filed in the United State Pipeline and Hazardous Safety Materials Administration (PHMSA) from 2016-2018 there was an average of 639 pipeline incidents per year resulting in 15 fatalities, 72 injuries, and a cost to the public nearly $600million
Fracking exacerbates climate change. Methane is 86-101 times worse for atmospheric warming than carbon dioxide. Climate change is destroying Earth’s ability to sustain life.
The industry coined the term “natural” gas to create the sense that it is clean, but the extraction, transport and burning of this gas destroys the health of our water, land, and air. Additionally, there are high levels of radon in this fracked gas from PA, and detrimental to asthma patients, children, pets.
A report authored by Suzanne Mattei, former DEC Regional Director notes National Grid does not have gas constraints, this is a manufactured crisis to keep business-as-usual, keep us hooked on fossil fuels, and charge rate-payers for construction well after the lifespan of this pipeline. This makes your constituents pay for the company’s stranded assets.
This project is disguised as a local upgrade by segmentation, while it is a much larger project leading to an LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) depot, CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) and other fracking infrastructure facilities in Greenpoint.
National Grid is requesting almost 185 million ratepayer dollars over the next three years to complete the project.
Connection to the controversial Williams NESE Pipeline
First some background: What is the The Williams Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) Project? A proposed $1billion new 23-mile-long transmission pipeline, originating in the fracking fields of Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale, that would run from New Jersey out into New York Harbor, passing 1.5 miles from Staten Island and terminating at an existing pipeline less than 4 miles off of Rockaway Beach. National Grid would be the sole buyer of the pipeline gas, which would be used almost exclusively for heating and hot water.
We also oppose this pipeline for several of the same reasons we oppose the MRI/”North Brooklyn”
How is the MRI/”North Brooklyn” Pipeline connected to the NESE Project?
National Grid began the MRI pipeline requesting funding in the 2016 rate case to prepare its system to transport an additional 850 Mdt/day of new gas that would be brought in by the Williams Northeast Supply Enhancement Project (NESE). National Grid would be the sole customer to this gas.
In March 2019, Suzanne Mattei, former DEC Regional Director, published a report titled “False Demand: The Case Against the Williams Fracked Gas Pipeline” showing that the NESE pipeline was not needed.
National Grid issued a moratorium based on false demand (see next section) and continued to build the MRI pipeline despite there being no need for additional gas to the system. The continued buildout of more infrastructure allows them to justify asking the PSC for a rate hike from customers. National Grid now claims that the MRI Pipeline is for system reliability so it can continue to build the pipeline, and charge customers a rate hike.
The Pipeline, the “Gas Shortage,” and National Grid’s Gas Moratorium
Williams’ reapplication comes at a time of extreme bad faith between New Yorkers and National Grid. On November 25, 2019, Governor Cuomo ordered the utility to lift the illegal moratorium on new gas hookups it had imposed on thousands of customers throughout the summer, calling it extortion and ordering the company to pay a $36 million fine. National Grid had imposed the moratorium as a ploy to gain approval for the financially lucrative Williams pipeline, claiming a gas shortage despite proof of that no shortage exists. (At least four separate agencies have shown gas demand in the region to be flat to negative; National Grid’s own largest customer in the region, the Long Island Power Authority, reduced its gas demand by 65% over the last decade; and National Grid’s own filings show that, in 2017, it used 35% less gas than expected despite its customer base growing beyond expectations). Ultimately, the Governor saw through the company’s manipulative tactics, going so far as to threaten to revoke the utility’s downstate franchise.
Yet despite months of berating National Grid, Governor Cuomo ultimately handed the reigns right back to the disgraced utility, putting it in charge of drafting a report that could determine the long-term energy solutions for the downstate region. (Check back soon for more on the report 3/3/20). This is despite the fact that National Grid—which makes its money by building fossil fuel infrastructure—has zero incentive to develop the renewable energy the region needs. The report was released in late February 2020, and will be the basis of six public meetings held in the downstate region throughout March, at which the public will have a chance to weigh in on the proposed solutions.
Conflicts with New York’s Landmark Climate Legislation
As widespread opposition to fossil fuel pipelines has shown, the public has already spoken in regards to NYC’s energy future: climate law and climate science—not corporate interests—should determine the path forward. On June 20, 2019, the Governor signed into law the most ambitious climate legislation in the country: the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), which mandates 100% net zero emissions by 2050. Yet Cuomo has yet to evoke the CLCPA or public sentiment in establishing a vision for the post-moratorium future, deferring instead to the same corporate utility that recently squandered the public trust. The current Albany budget proposal, which allocates little new money to fulfilling state climate goals, also reflects these regressive priorities.
National Grid’s Rate Case
As a regulated monopoly utility, National Grid is restricted to making its money by building fossil fuel infrastructure; the utility extracts profits from infrastructure costs passed along to ratepayers in the form of rate hikes. It therefore has every incentive to propose and build pipelines. Despite having just imposed an unjustified and illegal moratorium on its own customers, and despite the state’s ambitious climate law leaving no room for more fracked gas, National Grid is currently asking the Public Service Commission to raise rates on New Yorkers by hundreds of million dollars, largely to pay for expanding gas infrastructure such as the North Brooklyn pipeline (technically, the MRI Pipeline) within the city. National Grid claims projects like the disruptive MRI pipeline are to improve “system reliability”; in reality, they are unnecessary and dangerous expansions intended to fill shareholder pockets and lock in a regressive, climate-destroying business model for years to come.
The Risk of Stranded Assets
There are grave financial risks to building out more fossil fuel infrastructure in the current legislative climate. Gas pipelines are expected to last for 50 years—their costs must be amortized over that long to keep rates low for customers—yet the CLCPA mandates that we must move off of gas at least two decades before that. Demand for gas in general is predicted to plummet by 2050, due in part to the increased electrification of NYC buildings mandated by the Climate Mobilization Act. All of this will likely lead to a smaller and smaller pool of customers—ultimately, lower-income customers—getting stuck paying off an asset that is increasingly obsolete. Yet this is of little concern to the project’s corporate backers, which stand to profit handsomely in the short term; Williams, for example, is guaranteed a 14% return on equity for the project.
The Fight for Publicly Owned Utilities
The fight against Williams and National Grid is happening against a dramatic rise in support for publicly owned utilities. This is in response to growing public awareness that corporate utilities—with their moratoriums, blackouts, wildfires, and regressive rate increases—will never put people before profits. Three bills that would expand the reach of the New York Power Authority and authored by Assemblyman Bobby Carroll are currently in committee in the Senate and Assembly. The ultimate goal is to 1) decommodify energy so that it is treated as an essential good, not a vehicle for capital; 2) democratize the decision making surrounding energy and infrastructure to increase accountability; and 3) decarbonize the energy sector and move to 100% renewable energy as quickly and justly as possible.
Relevant Reports
March 2020 Clean Heating Pathways The Costs of Fossil Fuel Heating and the Benefits of Heat Pumps by the Acadia Center About 80% of homes and 75% of commercial buildings in New England and New York rely on fossil fuels for heating, including heating oil, propane, and fossil gas.1 While fuel costs have been historically low in recent years, the average home in the Northeast spends roughly $1,000-$2,600 on heating every winter.2 Because the Northeast imports an overwhelming proportion of its fossil fuels, this money flows out of local economies to other states and countries, and the region is beholden to price fluctuations out of its control. Fossil fuel heating is also a leading contributor to climate change and poses health and safety dangers. One solution to these issues is switching to clean, efficient electric heat pumps.
March 9, 2020 Energy Futures Group released a new whitepaper that starkly calls into question the findings of National Grid’s Natural Gas Long-Term Capacity Report, which continues the utility’s push for the Williams NESE fracked gas pipeline in New York Harbor. The paper shows that, contrary to National Grid’s assertions, the overwhelming majority of the pipeline’s capacity could be offset by renewable, non-pipeline solutions and adjusted demand projections. The paper comes just ahead of National Grid’s public info sessions, set to begin tonight in Hicksville and continue elsewhere throughout the month.
March 2019 False Demand: The Case Against the Williams Fracked Gas Pipeline
Boiler conversion data, energy use projections, and more help to debunk Williams’ and National Grid’s unsubstantiated claims that NYC needs more gas. Authored by Suzanne Mattei, a former regional director at the DEC, now with Lookout Hill Public Policy Associates.
What’s happened recently?
May 2020
May 20, 2020 Press Release North Brooklyn Community Calls National Grid’s Decision to Restart Construction of Controversial Fracked Gas Pipeline “Reckless” During Pandemic and Demand Immediate Halt of Construction
March 2020
National Grid shut down pipeline construction because of public pressure to keep workers safe during COVID-19 crisis.
New Yorkers And Elected Officials Call On Utilities To Halt Pipeline Construction To Protect Workers And Communities During Public Health Crisis In Light Of Abc 7 Reporting That A Con Edison Construction Worker In Queens Has Tested Positive For The Covid-19 Novel Coronavirus, New Yorkers Are Calling On Con Ed And National Grid To Immediately Halt Construction On All Of Their Pipelines.
February 2020
National Grid releases its report on long-term natural gas capacity and the schedule for the public meetings related to it.
November 2019
November 12: Governor Cuomo threatens to revoke National Grid’s downstate franchise
November 25: Governor Cuomo announces order to end National Grid’s moratorium, imposes $36 million fine on the utility.
October 2019
October 11: Governor Cuomo orders National Grid to reconnect 1,100 customers who were denied gas services
September 2019
September 13: New York Attorney General announces investigation into National Grid moratorium
September 24: Governor Cuomo makes first-ever statement opposing the Williams pipieline
September 24: New Yorkers and elected officials rally outside of National Grid’s corporate headquarters during Climate Strike week.
Quotes from Residents, Activists & Elected Officials
“Being communities of color, we will be hit first and worst by climate change. We’re already feeling the effects so we are extremely alarmed by this,” said Leslie Velasquez of El Puente. “And we’re not going anywhere. We’re going to stand here with all of our allies, for however long it takes. We’re in it for the long haul.”
“This community is no stranger to what National Grid is trying to do. The history of North Brooklyn can be told by listing the industries that came here, destroyed the air, the soil, the water, the health of the working class immigrants who lived here, and left,” said Kevin LaCherra, whose family has been in Greenpoint for 120 years. “They made their money off our backs and let the next couple of generations deal with the consequences. We’re still dealing with the consequences today. A pipeline that will carry plenty of profit for National Grid but that will leave this community where we’ve found ourselves time and time again. In danger.”
Sarah Lilley, community leader in Greenpoint said, "As a longtime resident of East Williamsburg and Greenpoint — neighborhoods that have for decades been environmentally abused by fossil fuel purveyors — I challenge National Grid to stop lying to our community about this pipeline and its true purpose: to fleece New Yorkers through rate hikes, while establishing deeper infrastructure that clings to dead-end fossil fuels."
"National Grid's argument that we can build more fossil fuel infrastructure and still have time to act on climate change at an unspecified future date is reckless and irresponsible,” said Alvin Peña, Community Liaison for Senator Julia Salazar. “It's time NYC & New York State take back its energy future from the grip of special interests. New Yorkers need clean energy moving forward and in the year 2020, it is too late for further delay."
“There is a climate emergency and we must do everything we can to work towards a future of renewable energy and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. I join the residents of North Brooklyn in opposing any initiative that would increase capacity or incur rate hikes. These are not the initiatives we want to see when it comes to renewable energy policies,” said Assembly Member Joseph R. Lentol (D-North Brooklyn)
“Emissions from these types of fuels are particularly toxic for young children. Increasing fossil fuel in general use only further endangers their future with the growing climate crisis. That on top of running this pipeline in proximity to so many schools should automatically disallow this plan,” said Tamara Gayer, Brooklyn Arbor P3 Association Co-President
“I live two blocks from where National Grid is ripping up our streets to install this pipeline, but only found out about it because my organization got involved in their opaque rate case process, where they are asking for $185 million more in rate hikes,” said Bushwick resident and director of Sane Energy Project Kim Fraczek. “If National Grid had come to our community from the start, like they claim, they would have learned right away that we absolutely reject our bills going up to pay for a dirty fracked gas pipeline that will harm our safety, health and climate and put tens of thousands of people in the evacuation zone.”
“Projects like the North Brooklyn pipeline are entirely incompatible with a sustainable future for our city. It should not be built and I stand with residents across Brooklyn who reject building out a massive fracked gas pipeline running beneath their feet,” said Comptroller Scott Stringer in a statement. “New Yorkers deserve an energy system that is sustainable, reliable, and affordable, not just more of the status quo which lines the pockets of the utilities at their expense. I have called for a moratorium on major gas infrastructure because we know the infrastructure we install today only puts our climate goals further out of reach. Doubling down on fossil fuels is tantamount to climate denial. If our utilities won’t think past their bottom lines and consider the future of our planet, we need to develop plans for the potential public takeover of New York’s natural gas system."
“I am calling on Governor Cuomo and the PSC to say “no” to National Grid’s rate hike. I’m asking them to not reward last years egregious behavior with a prize when, like a school yard bully, the corporation held customers hostage by denying them services because they were not getting what they wanted,” said Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. “The MRI Project is a project that fills National Grid’s coffees, a project that was largely and deceptively undertaken to install transmission pipes that will not serve the community being put at risk and which will harm our environment by in increase our reliance on fracked gas.”
“It is hypocritical for the state to continue with the status quo after passing the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act,” said Emily Gallagher a CB-1 member and candidate for State Assembly. “This is absolutely not climate leadership and it is not in the community's best interest.”
“National Grid will tell us this pipeline is about reliability, but they will only reliably contribute to climate catastrophe,” said Wes Higgins of the NYC- Democratic Socialist of America. “But we are more than just consumers with pocketbooks for National Grid to plunder. We are neighbors and they will dig up our streets. We are families and they will poison the air for our children, elderly and sick.”
See & Watch
Video of North Brooklyn community rally by Owen Crowley
Images
Photojournalist Erik McGregor: http://erikmcgregor.com/2020/02/15/no-nbk-pipeline-4/
Photojournalist Ken Schles: https://www.instagram.com/p/B9MMgNUHMv1/