EPA Will Investigate North Brooklyn Pipeline Approval: Activists

BROOKLYN, NY — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has agreed to investigate the approval of a controversial pipeline in Brooklyn after activists sent a complaint to the federal agency about the project.

A coalition of activists who have long opposed the North Brooklyn Pipeline announced Monday that the EPA agreed to look into the state's approval of the project, which will run fracked gas through Brownsville, Bed-Stuy, Bushwick, Williamsburg and Greenpoint.

Activists had contended earlier this year in a complaint to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice that National Grid ignored key health and safety regulations in installing the pipeline, which is also known as the Metropolitan Natural Gas Reliability Project.

“We commend the EPA’s decision to investigate the Department of Environmental Conservation’s ruling to permit National Grid to expand their harmful fracked gas infrastructure in vulnerable communities, including Brownsville," one of the groups, Brownsville Green Justice, said in a release. "... We hope the EPA’s decision is a first step in righting the wrongs set forth by National Grid in this community. "

EPA officials said in a letter that they will specifically look into why DEC did not conduct an environmental review of the entire pipeline, instead issuing a declaration stating that there would be "no adverse impact for a small subsection of the project," according to the activists.

They will also explore whether DEC properly engaged communities where the pipeline would run.

An investigation into National Grid and the Department of Public Service, which activists also named in their complaint, is being passed to the Departments of Justice, Transportation and Energy, the EPA said.

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."

Their complaint also urged President Joe Biden to turn off the gas for pipeline, which is nearing its final phase of construction.

National Grid has disputed opponents' criticisms of the project. They say the pipeline 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 when the complaint was sent.