Activists Appeal To Biden In North Brooklyn Pipeline Fight

BROOKLYN, NY — Activists fighting a controversial pipeline in North Brooklyn have taken their fight to the federal government, claiming that National Grid violated the Civil Rights Act with the project.

Local organizations and Brooklyn residents who live along the pipeline route sent a complaint Monday to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice detailing what they say is proof that National Grid ignored key health and safety regulations in installing the pipeline, which will run fracked gas through Brownsville, Bed-Stuy, Bushwick, Williamsburg and Greenpoint.

The federal complaint urges President Joe Biden to turn off the gas for pipeline, which is nearing its final phase of construction. It is the latest attempt from activists to shut down the pipeline, which is also known as the Metropolitan Natural Gas Reliability Project.

“This pipeline is just another example of how communities of color that have historically borne the burden of environmental racism continue to pay the price," said Fabian Rogers, an Ocean Hill-Brownsville resident and member of Brownsville Green Justice. "The only solution to this current problem is to stop the flow of the gas.”

The letter, sent with the help of two local legal organizations, claims that National Grid violated a part of the Civil Rights Act that bars entities that receive federal funding from engaging in racial discrimination. Activists have long claimed that the power company's installation of the pipeline in predominately Black and Latinx neighborhoods is an example of "environmental racism."

The complaint also claims National Grid failed to carry out required testing on the pipeline and didn't adequately notify the public about the project.

At least six neighbors who live along the pipeline route say they never learned about the pipeline until after it was completed despite federal and state requirements to "educate the general public" about such projects, according to the letter.

National Grid has disputed the allegations. They say the pipeline project will allow gas supply to move around more safely and efficiently in Brooklyn.

“Contrary to the allegations made in this letter, all work on the Metropolitan Reliability Project (MRI) was fully compliant with all laws, rules and regulations, conducted with the required permits and approvals in place, and was the subject of numerous public hearings and notifications," the company said in a statement.

Read a full copy of the letter below: