Elected
officials and Brooklyn residents rallied Tuesday outside of the National Grid
headquarters demanding Gov. Kathy Hochul step in and stop the gas bill hike
that they say violates current climate laws in New York City.
Demonstrators
told News 12 that they feel the utility has been dishonest about its
intentions – specifically when it comes to both storing and transporting
liquified natural gas in Brooklyn.
Thirty-three
elected officials sent the governor a letter calling for her to halt the rate
hike and review the order, which they say is in violation of a city law that
makes it illegal for liquified natural gas to be transported and stored.
National Grid is seeking permits to do so.
Assemblymember
Emily Gallagher and state Sen. Julia Salazar says the clock is ticking.
“It
means we are having another toxic storage plant in our community that has a
long legacy of environmental pollution and environmental health harms,” says
Gallagher.
Salazar
says the planned rate hike is being put into place to “fund this pipeline.”
National
Grid sent News 12 a statement on the issue:
“The
three-year investment plan is the product of two years of extensive
negotiations and collaboration among stakeholders. The plan provides balance
for our customers, allowing us to prioritize energy affordability while
investing in programs necessary to maintain the safety and reliability of our
networks and implement new programs to accelerate decarbonization and the
transition to a cleaner energy future. The benefits are substantial: rates
frozen for one year, new programs to support vulnerable customers – including
customers experiencing financial hardships for the first time because of COVID,
an unprecedented set of commitments to advance the State’s climate goals and
reduce emissions. We are pleased to have worked with our key stakeholders,
including the New York State Department of Public Service to reach an agreement
that supports our customers and is consistent with the requirements of the
CLCPA.”