Supervisor Joseph Saladino and the Town Board this week extended by an additional six-months the construction moratorium on Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in the Town of Oyster Bay. The moratorium was first approved in April 2024.

“While battery energy storage systems can help us make a greener earth, they pose potential safety risks for the community,” said Supervisor Saladino. “Multiple fires at these facilities in New York State have highlighted the dangers and raised concerns over public safety and the risk to our first responders.”

Town officials have met with residents and attended local meetings to listen to concerns over BESS systems, which have been populating New York State in recent years. BESS facilities utilize rechargeable batteries that can store energy from different sources and discharge it when needed. They consist of one or more batteries that can be used to balance the entire grid, provide backup power, and/or improve grid stability.

The recent public concern regarding the volatile nature of lithium-ion batteries and the potential threat to the health and safety of communities surrounding these facilities have led the Town Board to put a pause in place for approving them. With reports of fires at BESS locations over the past two years, there are also concerns related to the impact to the environment, as well as the stress put on roadways and local infrastructure. Following the recent fires, New York State is also currently considering pending updates to New York State Fire Code following a preliminary investigation performed on BESS facilities. These concerns, coupled with the Town’s desire for additional information and assurance about the safety of these type of facilities, as well as allowing New York State time to finalize its report, have all led to the determination that a moratorium be put in place while these issues are further considered.

“While a recent report from New York State indicates initial findings that show BESS facilities have limited long-term impacts to health, safety and the environment, it’s prudent for additional investigations and reviews be conducted before considering any applications for such a facility in the Town of Oyster Bay,” added Supervisor Saladino.