FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUG 27, 2024

Climate Activists Utilize Video Portal Installation to Bridge NYC and Dublin's Opposition to Fracking and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)

Bridging the Atlantic with Powerful Visuals and Voices: Activists Unite Against LNG in NYC and Ireland, Targeting National Grid in Brooklyn, plus Shannon, Cork, and Inch Projects

Contact: Kim Fraczek, Director, Sane Energy Project, kim@saneenergy.org 646-387-3180

Forthcoming Video During Climate Week 2024

Tuesday, August 27, 2024, New York, NY — On Saturday, The Portal, a groundbreaking public art sculpture in New York and Dublin created by Lithuanian artist Benediktas Gylys, became the backdrop for a powerful climate justice event with anti-fracking activists against the expansion of fracking and liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure in the USA and Ireland.

The Portal, which connects the two cities through real-time video technology, provided a notable setting for activists from both sides of the Atlantic to unite in opposing fracking and LNG which is a key financial interest of the largest fossil fuel corporations in the world.

New York banned fracking in 2015 followed by Ireland in 2017 yet the transport and storage of fracked gas via LNG is still an issue on both sides of the Atlantic. New York groups are currently working to stop both the storage of LNG and a new form of fracking with carbon dioxide. Irish groups have secured a temporary ban on fracked gas via LNG that could be lifted with a new government thus opening the floodgates to new LNG import terminals.

The event, organized by Sane Energy Project, No North Brooklyn Pipeline Alliance, and Frack Action stateside in collaboration with XR Ireland, connected activists who voiced their concerns about the environmental, financial, and health risks associated with LNG production, transportation, and storage. Protesters rallied under the banner "From Dublin to NYC We Say No to LNG #StopLNG," highlighting their goal of preventing the construction of LNG import terminals in Ireland and the transatlantic shipment of fracked LNG.

The demonstration was a message to local and global leaders: communities on both sides of the Atlantic reject the continued reliance on fossil fuels and demand a shift towards clean, renewable energy.

Kim Fraczek, Director of Sane Energy Project, an organization that is actively campaigning against LNG in Brooklyn, said, “It is an abomination that we must use a beautiful, unifying art installation like The Portal to discuss corporations' rapacious pursuit of profit, instead of celebrating and connecting through our shared culture, stories, and beauty. In New York, our state had a clear opportunity to retire National Grid's LNG in North Brooklyn in August 2024, but our utility regulators failed us, by using nearly half a billion dollars of public money to restore a polluting facility that should be retired -- effectively enabling climate denial by ignoring our climate law. Governor Hochul continues to dodge the NY HEAT Act, and provides a clear "open for fracking business" sign since the monstrous notion of a Texan corporation proposing CO2 fracking came to our door. The USA's ongoing abuse of our cherished allies also fighting LNG facilities in Louisiana, Puerto Rico, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Alaska—clearly toxifying targeted low-income communities to serve corporate greed and perpetuate a global economy based on poison—must be confronted and stopped. Love, culture, and solidarity should bind us together, not the catastrophic destruction imposed on us by profit-driven corporations peddling 19th century poison.”

Ian Mac an Ghaill, Extinction Rebellion Ireland rebel and teacher, said, “This action highlights the shared grievances of anti-fracking, anti-LNG activists from across both sides of the Atlantic and the madness of considering Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) storage as an energy security solution when the overarching threat to a secure future is the climate crisis. Methane leakage and energy-intensive processing mean that LNG is more polluting for the climate than coal. Bringing LNG fossil fuel infrastructure to Ireland for the first time risks locking us into highly polluting dirty energy for decades to come. We need a cleaner, brighter, gas-free future.”

“It’s inspiring that the solidarity campaign between the United States and Ireland continues to grow and expand,” said Julia Walsh, Director of Frack Action, an organization that has been working in both countries to stop LNG infrastructure. “Despite both New York and Ireland’s bans on fracking, the fossil fuel industry is still trying to unleash fracked gas and endanger people’s health. In New York activists are working to pressure the Governor to sign a new fracking ban bill after the industry has tried exploiting a loophole to use carbon dioxide instead of water to frack. Over in Ireland, New Fortress Energy - a U.S. based corporation -had their permit application for LNG infrastructure rejected by the Irish government but they are appealing the decision and continuing to push to build dangerous LNG projects. We have to work together to stop the LNG industry on both sides of the Atlantic!”

In response to the recent decision by New York State utility regulators to approve over $5 billion in rate hikes for New York City and Long Island residents to fund LNG expansion, GiGi Nieson of the No North Brooklyn Pipeline Alliance expressed grave concern about the impact this decision will have on local communities. Nieson, speaking on behalf of residents, students, neighbors, and organizers in working-class BIPOC neighborhoods, warned that the decision will exacerbate the ongoing climate and affordability crises. “This decision is another nail in the coffin for everyday people trying to survive both the climate and affordability crisis. “In the recent heatwaves and heavy rain, we’ve seen our streets and basements flooded, people dying of heat stroke, subways in chaos, while the cost of living skyrockets. The ramifications of the PSC’s decision will impact and worsen these problems, and more people will suffer at the hands of greedy companies like National Grid. The PSC chooses to turn a blind eye to those suffering while there are implementable solutions, which shows their true intentions and how unaligned they are with the people they seek to serve. As the future of the climate crisis unfolds and National Grid and the PSC try to wash their hands of the blood they spilled, we will continue to make sure the people know who is to blame and fight to survive in spite of their autocracy.”

The event marked a significant moment in the ongoing fight against fossil fuel expansion, demonstrating the growing global solidarity among activists dedicated to climate and ecological justice.

About Sane Energy Project: Since its founding in 2011, Sane Energy Project has been at the forefront of effortsto replace fracked gas infrastructure with 100% renewable energy in New York State. With a strong focus on racial, social, and ecological justice, the organization has successfully halted or delayed ten major fossil fuel projects, mobilizing over 15,000 supporters.

About Extinction Rebellion: Extinction Rebellion is a global movement employing nonviolent civil disobedience to demand urgent action on the climate and ecological crisis.

About No North Brooklyn Pipeline Alliance: The No North Brooklyn Pipeline Alliance is a grassroots organization dedicated to opposing fossil fuel expansion in North Brooklyn and advocating for a transition to renewable energy sources.

About Frack Action: After successfully banning fracking in New York in 2014 with a large coalition of groups, electeds, health professionals, business leaders, and artists, Frack Action was invited to support Ireland’s Fracking ban movement and helped win a ban in 2017. Since then, Frack Action has been supporting stopping U.S. fracked gas from being exported to Ireland and continues to fight for a ban on LNG in both countries.

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