Letters

A naval engineer, in response to the recent tragedy of the submersible Titan, is quoted as saying, “Submarine technology is safe, as long as you don’t forget how dangerous it is.”

This warning applies as well to the proposal to site a large BESS (battery energy storage system) facility on North Road in Hampton Bays.

BESS technology is new and not well-regulated. It is therefore critical to follow state, county and industry guidelines and best practices. All guidelines point to the importance of staying clear of residential areas, as well as recreational and environmentally sensitive sites. The North Road site meets all these criteria.

Southampton Town Councilman John Bouvier, who admittedly is not an expert, has cavalierly minimized the residents’ concerns by telling us that the facility will use lithium-phosphate batteries, as opposed to the more flammable lithium-ion batteries. This may be true. But even if the contractor does, many associated dangers remain.

Lithium-phosphate batteries still have the potential for thermal runaway and fire. Location is the key. Any unfortunate incident could result in harm to a major recreation and tourist site.

There are plenty of appropriate locations for the new technology in the Town of Southampton — plenty of sites not 1,000 feet from the canal, the bays, Shinnecock Marina and Meschutt Beach, as well as 200 private homes.

Let’s not let all the warning signs go unheeded. To do so is a tragedy waiting to happen.

Patricia McKee

Hampton Bays