Letters

The residents in the quiet communities surrounding the proposed BESS site are not hysterical Luddites [“Carefully Forward,” Editorial, June 15]. We are all in favor of greener energy solutions. What we are reasonably opposed to is a 5-acre industrial facility, and all its inherent risks and issues, being installed across the road from hundreds of homes.

The NFPA.org website, the apparent bible on all things BESS, has a blog article titled “BESS hazards and failure modes.” Here are some of the “delightful” terms discussed in the article: thermal runaway, off gassing, stranded energy, thermal abuse, electrical abuse, environmental impacts (floods, salt fog, rodent damage to wiring, etc.).

These terms describe battery failure and fire-causing events. They are risks and hazards to people in the community and to our ecosystem. In the event of a fire, the chemicals from the batteries and water used to try and cool and contain the fire will flow into the canal and pollute our beautiful bays. And, by the way, controlling a BESS lithium battery fire or pollution event requires special NFPA training.

Just a year ago, Shinnecock Bay was awarded the Global Hope Spot designation for the restorative work that has been done in the bay. Bravo! This is the only Hope Spot in all of New York State. Who thought putting a potential destroyer of that designation right smack next to our canal and Shinnecock Bay was a good idea?

So please excuse me if I am concerned and I am voicing my concern. Town residents seem to be all on board regarding leaf blower noise, but when community members raise valid objections to a relatively new and still potentially dangerous technology because of where it would be located, we are told to get with the program.

To the folks who say they would not mind a facility of this size in their neighborhood or near our canal and bays, I daresay you are not being honest, or you are unaware of some of the issues, or you are relieved it is not being located near you.

Brigid Maher

Hampton Bays