Gas used for cooking, lighting, heating and commercial purposes was manufactured at the Williamsburg Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP) from approximately 1887 through the late 1930’s or early 1940’s. Historical records, while incomplete, indicate that an independent company operated the plant before that company merged to form Brooklyn Union Gas in 1895. The plant used coal and petroleum products to create a flammable gas which was piped into the surrounding neighborhoods. After the property was sold by Brooklyn Union, it was subdivided and now has multiple private owners and uses, including commercial and warehouse operations and a former City of New York Department of Sanitation garage. National Grid is responsible for the investigation and remediation of the site because it was operated by a predecessor company (Brooklyn Union) at the time MGP-related contamination occurred.

This website provides information on the Williamsburg former MGP Site, the Remedial Investigation of the site, and opportunities for public participation. 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.

For more information about the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Manufactured Gas Plant Site program go to: http://www.dec.ny.gov/
chemical/8430.html

February 2025

Supplemental Remedial Investigation Commences

Supplemental Remedial Investigation (SRI)

Supplemental Remedial Investigation (SRI) field work was conducted at the former Williamsburg Works MGP site under a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) approved SRI Work Plan. The purpose of the work was to delineate vertical groundwater at Parcels 3 and 4 of the site.

The work consisted of installation and development of 16 monitoring wells on Parcels 3 and 4. The work was completed in September 2024. Information from the well monitoring was used to develop a draft revised Remedial Investigation Report, which National Grid submitted to NYSDEC in December 2024.

A map of the site and parcels can be seen on the Site Description tab.

Ongoing Activities:

• Development of the Parcel 6 SRI Work Plan

Upcoming Activities:

• Conduct Parcel 6 SRI, pending submittal and approval of Work Plan.

If you have any questions or comments about the work on the Site, please use the Williamsburg MGP Telephone Hotline at (718) 982-7349.