About the Greenpoint Energy Center Former Manufactured Gas Plant Site
Prior to development of the Site as an energy producing facility, the Site was developed for several industrial purposes dating back to at least 1880. Energy production began at the Site when it was developed in 1927.
Gas used for cooking, lighting, heating, and commercial purposes was manufactured at the Site over an approximate 40-year period between 1927 and 1968. During that time, gas was made using varying processes including carbureted water gas, coke oven gas, and oil gas in different time frames and stages.
As natural gas was brought into Brooklyn in the early 1950s, the gas plants were retired and demolished. Since the mid-1960s, the Site has been actively used in support of the Company’s natural gas and related operations in the New York City metropolitan area.
The area surrounding the Site and nearby Newtown Creek has an extensive history of industrial development and use dating back to the 1800s. By the 1850s, more than 50 petroleum refineries were located along its banks, and by the close of the 19th century, the Creek was lined with oil refineries and petrochemical plants, fertilizer and glue factories, copper-smelting and fat rendering plants, shipbuilders, sugar refineries, hide tanning plants, canneries, governmental facilities, sawmills, paint works, and lumber and coal yards. Some of these facilities were known to handle and discharge to the subsurface some constituents similar to some found on MGP sites. Other more recent industries and operations in the area have included dry cleaners, manufacturing operations, metal and machine shops and chemical works to the north and west of the Site.
By-products of the former MGP operations were the primary focus of the Remedial Investigation Report, which has been reviewed and approved by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. However, as identified in the RIR, some of the contamination identified on the Site and immediately adjacent to the Site, is believed to be the result of other historical and/or current business operations in the area as discussed above.
This website provides information on the Greenpoint Energy Center former MGP Site, its history, the remedial investigation, and Interim Remedial Measures performed. National Grid is committed to the protection and enhancement of the environment, always seeking ways to minimize the environmental impacts of our past, present and future activities. We hope this website, a part of our public participation and outreach efforts, is helpful and informative. If you need additional information or have suggestions to make our website better, please contact the individuals listed under Contacts.
Current Site Updates
Greenpoint Energy Center Former Manufactured Gas Plant Site
Site #224052
287 Maspeth Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11211
Contact Information
National Grid will continue to provide updates as the work at the site proceeds. For more information, please leave a message on our hotline at (718) 982-7349.