williamsburg
About the Williamsburg former Manufactured Gas Plant Site

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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

Site News and Updates

July 2026

Operable Unit

Parcel ID

Block and Lot

Address

Site Proper

OU 1

Parcel 2

Block 2287, Lot 1

41 North 11th Street (aka 50 Kent Avenue)

Parcel 3

Block 2287, Lot 16

20 North 12th Street

Parcel 4

Block 2287, Lot 30

2 North 12th Street

OU 2

Parcel 1

Block 2288, Lot 1

35 Kent Avenue

Off-site

Not applicable

Parcel 5

Block 2294, Lot 1 and Lot 5

16 North 11 Street and 33 North 10th Street

Not applicable

Parcel 6

Block 2277, Lot 1

1 North 12th Street

Background:

National Grid is implementing a remedial program at the site.  To date, work has included the following:

  • A Remedial Investigation (RI) was performed by National Grid’s environmental consultant, GEI, from June 2009 through December 2012.
  • A Draft Remedial Investigation Report was submitted to NYSDEC in January 2015.
  • A NAPL recovery Interim Remedial Investigation (IRM) was conducted at Parcel 2 in 2014 and a Construction Completion Report (CCR) was approved by NYSDEC in 2015.
  • An excavation/stabilization-based IRM was performed at Parcel 2 from November 2015-June 2017 and the CCR for that effort was approved by NYSDEC in March 2018.
  • Remedial investigation work was performed on Parcels 3 and 4 from July through November 2022.
  • A revised Draft Remedial Investigation Report was submitted to NYSDEC on October 31, 2023.
  • Based on NYSDEC comments to the October 31, 2023 Draft Remedial Investigation Report, a Supplemental Remedial Investigation for Parcels 3 and 4 commenced in July 2024 and was completed in September 2024.
  • A revised Draft Remedial Investigation Report was submitted to NYSDEC on December 19, 2024.
  • A Revised Remedial Investigation Report was submitted to NYSDEC on July 17, 2025.
  • A Final Remedial Investigation Report was submitted to NYSDEC on August 29, 2025.
  • In September 2025, NYSDEC created operable units (OUs) 1 and 2 and approved the August 29, 2025 Remedial Investigation Report as the final Remedial Investigation Report for OU 1.

 

Highlights / Overall Update:

  • NAPL recovery at Parcel 2 has been ongoing since September 2014.
  • NAPL gauging and recovery at Parcel 3 and 4 since September 2022.
  • National Grid received a letter from Community Board No. 1 on June 17, 2026 that included a request for Committee Appearance.  National Grid responded to the letter on July 17, 2026
  • Draft Remedial Alternatives Analysis Report for OU 1 was submitted to NYSDEC on November 24, 2025.
    • National Grid has been engaging in open communications with NYSDEC and NYC Parks Department since the submittal of the draft Remedial Alternatives Analysis Report.
    • In July 2026,
      •  Worked to address NYSDEC requested modifications to the November 2025 draft OU 1 Remedial Alternatives Analysis Repor Conducted a call with the NYSDEC on July 9, 2026 to discuss the updated alternatives
      • Submitted the revised draft Remedial Alternatives Analysis Report to the NYSDEC on July 23, 2026

Recently completed actions/activities:

  • Submittal of revised draft Remedial Alternatives Analysis Report to the NYSDEC on July 23, 2026

On-going actions/activities:

  • OMM work, including:
    • Weekly NAPL gauging and recovery at Parcel 2, ongoing since September 2014.
    • Quarterly NAPL gauging and recovery at Parcels 3 and 4.
  • Outreach to Parks’ and NYSDEC counsel regarding fill wedge on Parcels 3 and 4
  • Maintain open communications with regulators and stakeholders.

Upcoming actions/activities:

  • Finalize draft Remedial Investigation work plan for Parcel 5 following receipt of NYSDEC draft investigation report, which is anticipated in July/August 2026.
  • Develop a draft Supplemental Remedial Investigation work plan for Parcel 6 following receipt of NYSDEC draft investigation report, which is anticipated in July/August 2026.
  • NYSDEC public meeting to discuss the NYSDEC Proposed Decision Document

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