Protesters Block Construction On Controversial Brooklyn Pipeline

BROOKLYN, NY — Protesters of the controversial North Brooklyn Pipeline blocked construction in Brownsville this week, which continued despite calls from officials to withdraw the project.

Residents of Brownsville gathered at National Grid's construction site on Junius Street, spreading themselves across the dug up roadway with signs and chants through a megaphone. After two hours of protest, National Grid workers packed up and went home for the day, according to the activists.

“We took this action to protect the people who have already endured enough, our neighbors and especially the children of Brownsville who will bear the biggest burden through health risks as well as environmental degradation," Gabriel Jamison, a Brownsville native and community organizer, said in a release.

The protest comes a week after Mayor Bill de Blasio came out against the pipeline, which is being put into the ground to run fracked gas through Brownsville, Bed-Stuy, Bushwick, Williamsburg and Greenpoint.

The mayor released a statement calling for National Grid to withdraw the project, which is officially known as the Metropolitan Natural Gas Reliability Project.

Construction began on the North Brooklyn Pipeline in 2017 and was paused from advancing to the next stage in November, though work on earlier phases of construction continues. The company said Friday the construction on Junius Street included sidewalk and curb restoration.

"Work on the next phase of the project is on pause until the State’s full comprehensive review of gas system planning is conducted and approved," a spokesperson said.

National Grid has said the project will allow the gas supply to move around more safely and efficiently, but opponents argue it is an excuse to hike up prices for rate payers, specifically in minority communities.

Thursday's rally was the latest attempt from activists to stop pipeline construction. In October, 12 people were arrested during similar demonstrations in Bushwick, according to activists.

National Grid is currently requesting $185 million in rate hikes to finish phases 4 and 5 of the pipeline. That price-tag is part of an estimated $236 million increase in revenue the company expects in 2021, or about $16.66 extra per month for the average residential customer, according to BK Reader.