Higher utility bills and layoffs were top concerns Tuesday at a public meeting in Brooklyn over the proposed merger of National Grid and KeySpan.

The Public Service Commission held the meeting at Kingsborough Community College. London-based National Grid currently serves upstate New York and wants to expand by taking over KeySpan, which is the parent company of Brooklyn Union Gas. The merger would make the company the third largest of its kind in the U.S.

However, some Brooklyn KeySpan customers say they aren't sold on the deal. They worry about their gas bills going up and layoffs in the wake of a merger. Representatives from both companies reassured residents the merger would be positive for the community.

Officials are holding two more public meetings on January 17 at Borough Hall at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.