Criticized for allowing too many large Battery Energy Storage Systems: "New York City is playing with fire"
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Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella has criticized New York City officials for permitting an excessive number of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facilities in residential areas of the borough.
Standing at the corner of Manor Road and Tillman Street in Manor Heights, where a new BESS is planned, Fossella stated:
"New York City is playing with fire allowing these BESS sites to be constructed in residential neighbourhoods like these."
He emphasized that developers are choosing Staten Island due to its more affordable and abundant land, resulting in a disproportionate concentration of such facilities in the area.
Residents have expressed concerns about the proximity of these facilities to homes, citing potential safety hazards. An online petition initiated by local resident Valerie Vislocky has garnered over 800 signatures, urging an immediate halt to the installation of lithium battery sites near residential areas. The petition highlights the dangers associated with such facilities being located close to homes and criticizes the lack of community awareness prior to construction.
Fossella is advocating for a moratorium on BESS installations until comprehensive safety protocols are established. He noted that representatives from various regulatory agencies have expressed reservations about placing these sites in residential neighbourhoods. Drawing a parallel to the Fresh Kills Landfill, which was closed in 2001 after legal action based on fair share provisions, Fossella questioned why Staten Island, comprising only 5% to 6% of the city's population, should bear a disproportionate burden of these facilities.
In response to these concerns, NineDot Energy, the company developing the Manor Heights site, stated that the FDNY has examined the site and found no safety issues. The company emphasized that the project complies with city and International Fire Code requirements, including maintaining a 10-foot distance between any battery and a building. They also highlighted that the FDNY has tested the Tesla Megapacks used in the project and determined them to be safe for use in New York City, citing multiple layers of safety redundancy to prevent thermal runaway incidents.
Despite these assurances, residents remain apprehensive. The petition underscores the community's belief that safety should take precedence over convenience or profit, especially given the challenges the neighbourhood already faces.
This local opposition may reflect a broader trend in New York State, where residents in areas like Duanesburg and Carmel have resisted the construction of large-scale battery storage plants due to fire hazard concerns. These disputes pose challenges to the state's objectives of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 and achieving 100% zero-carbon electricity by 2040.
A community meeting is scheduled for February 18 at the Joan and Allan Bernikow JCC on Manor Road. A representative from NineDot Energy is expected to attend to address residents' questions and concerns.