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
March 2024
Remedial Investigation Commences
Remedial Investigation
Remedial Investigation (RI) field work has been conducted at the former Williamsburg Works MGP under a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)-approved Remedial Investigation Work Plan Addendum (RIWPA) for Parcels 3 and 4. The field work began in July 2022 and included the installation of soil borings, monitoring wells, test pits, and soil vapor points to gather information required to determine the nature and extent of impacts at Parcels 3 and 4 of the former Williamsburg Works MGP. The field work was completed in November 2022. A Remedial Investigation report was submitted to NYSDEC and comments were received from the NYSDEC and NYSDOH in March 2024. The NYSDEC and NYSDOH comment letters requested revisions to the draft RI report and re-evaluation of specific, potential data gaps. A Supplemental Remedial Investigation Work Plan to characterize the deep groundwater at Parcels 3&4 is currently being developed and will be submitted to the NYSDEC in May 2024.
On-going activities:
- Development of Supplemental Remedial Investigation Work Plan
Upcoming activities:
- Conduct Supplemental Remedial Investigation, 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.