Proposed Rate Hike Prompts 'Gas Bill Strike' In Brooklyn

BROOKLYN, NY — Activists hoping to stop a controversial pipeline in North Brooklyn are taking the fight to their wallets.

A coalition who have been fighting the installation of the pipeline — also known as the Metropolitan Natural Gas Reliability Project — for years launched a "gas bill strike" this week, urging Brooklynites to withhold $66 from their gas bills.

The strike comes after a proposal from National Grid and the state to raise rates for customers to pay for the project, which will run fracked gas through Brownsville, Bed-Stuy, Bushwick, Williamsburg and Greenpoint. Activists say the hike will mean paying $125 more per year for 1.9 million customers.

“We need to be heard and National Grid has proven again and again that profit is the most important thing to them, even more important than protecting human life and our planet," Brooklyn resident and National Grid customer Abigayle Reese said at a rally Tuesday.

"I think that this is a great opportunity to show National Grid that we will not allow this racist climate destruction to continue. Our message will be heard because we are using the only thing they seem to value, money.”

Construction began on the North Brooklyn Pipeline in 2017 and was nearing the end of its first stage when it was paused in November.

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. A slew of legislators, including, most recently, Mayor Bill de Blasio, are against the project.

The rate hike proposal, unveiled earlier this month, still needs to be approved by the state's Public Service Commission. Activists say their vote will likely be in July or August.

National Grid said this week that participating in the gas strike would be a "dangerous precedent" for the company's services.

"...National Grid provides natural gas service to our customers and in return, like all utilities, there is an associated cost," spokesperson Wendy Ladd said. "Our customers understand the value and reliability that gas service provides. Informing customers not to pay their bills is irresponsible and sets a dangerous precedent."