The Town of Southampton’s moratorium on battery energy storage systems was intended to be a temporary measure to address safety and siting concerns, not a permanent solution.
It is disappointing that the town has decided to extend the moratorium for another six months despite the extensive consultations with experts and the release of the state’s fire safety working group’s findings. It is time for the town to implement fair zoning regulations that allow these essential projects to safely move forward.
BESS facilities are crucial for our clean energy transition and maintaining a reliable power grid, something that is especially important on the East End of Long Island.
New York boasts a strong safety record with BESS: Out of over 5,000 facilities, only three reported fire incidents, none of which caused injuries or environmental damage. The safety of BESS has been rigorously vetted, and the technology is continuously improving. While incidents have occurred that have caused concern among residents, they are rare and manageable with proper protocols in place.
In order to combat misinformation, we partnered with Citizens Campaign for the Environment to hold an educational forum on BESS earlier this year, where hundreds of residents tuned in. This forum provided a platform for our community to listen to the experts and understand the importance and safety of BESS technology. It is clear that informed action is necessary to advance our clean energy goals.
The New York League of Conservation Voters does not advocate for specific BESS projects. Instead, we advocate for the overall deployment of BESS technology, which is vital for our clean energy future.
The Town Council has had ample time to address concerns and develop a plan for safe BESS deployment. It’s time to move forward and embrace the technology that will help us achieve our clean energy goals, ensure the reliability of the grid and improve our health by cutting our reliance on power from polluting fossil fuels.
The Town Council must trust the experts, follow the data, and implement codes that allow BESS projects to proceed safely. This will help us build a cleaner, more reliable energy grid and help us all breathe easier.
Casey Petrashek
Deputy Director of Politics
New York League of Conservation Voters
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