Saturday, April 26, 2025
Nassau County, the beautiful place we call home, now faces a dangerous proposal from Albany. Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration has suggested Glenwood Landing as a location for volatile lithium-ion battery storage facilities.
While the transition to green energy is essential, placing these hazardous facilities in residential areas — without proper safety measures, local input or adherence to zoning laws — poses severe risks to public health and safety. As the legislator in this area, I must voice my strong opposition to this Albany “proposal.”
Hochul’s decision to override local zoning laws and push these facilities on Long Island is an alarming overreach of state authority. Local governments must retain the authority to protect their residents and determine what developments are appropriate for their neighborhoods. By bypassing local oversight, something the governor attempts far too often, the state is eroding the democratic process and undermining the role of local governance.
The so-called Rapid Act, designed to expedite the deployment of green energy infrastructure, is advancing without sufficient consideration of the risks it imposes. As the name suggests, these plans are rapidly being forced on communities. Lithium-ion batteries, commonly used for energy storage, present significant fire hazards. When these batteries catch fire, they burn at extremely high temperatures, and conventional firefighting methods are often ineffective. More concerning, these fires release toxic fumes and hazardous chemicals into the air, which pose grave health risks to those nearby. This rapid rush is even more egregious when you consider that the state has not yet released or approved fire safety codes standards for these facilities.
A recent and alarming incident underscores the dangers of these facilities. In January, a massive fire broke out at one of the world’s largest lithium-ion battery storage systems at the Moss Landing Power Plant in Northern California. The blaze, which lasted for days, became uncontrollable due to the volatile nature of the batteries. Despite the heroic efforts of local firefighters, the fire could not be extinguished, and burned at temperatures that made traditional firefighting tactics ineffective.
The fire also released hazardous chemicals into the air, leading to evacuations of nearby residents and concerns about long-term environmental contamination. Elevated levels of heavy metals were detected as well, causing further alarm over the environmental impact.
This fire, one of the largest and most destructive incidents involving lithium-ion batteries, highlights the grave risks of placing such facilities in densely populated areas like Glenwood Landing. These fires are not rare occurrences; they are an expected and dangerous outcome of improperly sited battery storage facilities.
Our zoning laws should not be treated as bureaucratic obstacles — they are vital tools designed to protect the safety, well-being and character of our communities. I commend and appreciate the Town of Oyster Bay for hearing the voices of our residents and taking action against Albany’s agenda by implementing a moratorium on the proposal. While this is not a permanent solution, it does allow us to address the safety concerns of these facilities.
The rush to implement green energy solutions should not come at the cost of our safety. While the transition to sustainable energy is essential, lithium-ion battery storage facilities should not be placed in areas ill-suited to house such high-risk projects. If and when these facilities are ready for installation, they must undergo thorough local review and adhere to stringent fire safety codes and zoning laws designed to protect public health and safety.
As a legislator, a resident and a mom, I will continue to fight for the health and safety of Nassau County residents. A simple principle: I wouldn’t want a battery storage facility next to my home, and I don’t want one next to yours, either. While this issue is gaining traction, now is the time to tell your neighbors and make your voice heard in Albany. We don’t want to be reactive on this issue — we want to be proactive in protecting our homes and our communities, so let’s stand together to do so.
Samantha A. Goetz represents Nassau County’s 18th Legislative District.
