The New York State Climate Action Council prepares to release a final scoping plan on how to transition to a fossil-fuel free future, by January 1, 2023. Information on the process was presented at the November 16th Community Board 18 (CB 18) meeting, held in person at the board office at 1097 Bergen Avenue, and virtually.
Renee McClure, Director for Community and Customer Management at National Grid, discussed the changes residents could see soon, including no new gas service to existing buildings beginning in 2024. There will also be an increased focus on electrification and a switch to alternative energy sources, such as geothermal energy and renewable energy.
A draft scoping plan was released in December 2021, with public hearings on the proposed plan already having taken place. Knowledge of the plan is not widespread, however.
“There’s still a lot of things that are still to be accounted for and that’s why we’re having the conversation…” McClure said. “And so we feel that a lot of people are not aware of what’s going to be happening and that’s why we’re here tonight.”
McClure emphasized that affordability, customer choice, energy supply and maintaining economic growth are priorities for National Grid in the transition to clean energy.
Another topic on the table was where to find COVID-19 resources in the community. William Chambers, representing the Caribbean Women’s Health Association (CWHA), reminded community members that the CWHA partners with several local health services to provide the COVID-19 vaccine and booster shots. He encouraged residents to make use of the resources available to protect themselves and their community.
“We’re trying to increase the inoculation rate, so that people do not get hospitalized from having COVID-19 and they can handle the virus better if they contract it,” Chambers said.
In her report, CB 18 District Manager Sue Ann Partnow announced the official groundbreaking of a learning farm behind P.S. 312 in Bergen Beach, after a decade of waiting. The space, which is approximately two acres, will allow students to practice planting in an outdoor classroom, complete with a greenhouse, vegetable garden and composting area.
In other news, the Canarsie Library will be one of a few Brooklyn Public Library branches to take part in a new teen takeover program early next year. Sallie Bennett, Chairperson of the Libraries and Education Committee, shared that the after-hours program will let teens pick different activities they want to participate in, with options including drama performances, author talks, cooking classes and more.
This month’s meeting also saw a renewal application for an alcoholic beverage license for Arkflow FBF & Legends Hospitality LLC, Aviator Sports and Recreation, located at 3159 Flatbush Avenue. Chairperson for the Planning and Zoning Committee Tom Hernandez Jr. presided over the motion, which was approved by vote of the board members.
The next CB 18 meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 21st.