Saturday, June 21, 2025
Battery energy storage systems have become a hot-button issue across Long Island — and nowhere is that concern more immediate or deeply felt than in Island Park. As a longtime resident, a former chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals and as the current mayor, I want to make it abundantly clear: I took an early, firm stand on this matter: not in Island Park. Not in our backyard. We are not a testing ground for dangerous technology that lacks proper oversight, safety measures or accountability. Our safety, health and quality of life must come first.
At a recent Hempstead Town Board meeting, I urged our elected officials to approve a moratorium on battery energy storage system facilities. I appealed to the board members not just on behalf of Island Park, but on behalf of the entire town. The proposed local law to enact a temporary moratorium on these facilities isn’t just a wise move — it’s an essential one. It is the first necessary step in a broader effort to protect public health and safety.
This law deserves the support of every municipality, every community group and every concerned citizen. But let me be clear: While a temporary moratorium is a start, the next crucial step must be a permanent moratorium.
There is a direct and imminent threat posed by the rapid, unchecked expansion of battery storage systems. The current proposals we’ve seen represent a reckless push to build facilities without the necessary oversight, without comprehensive safety protocols, without environmental impact studies, and without proper consultation with local stakeholders. It’s a dangerous game — and we’re the ones being asked to pay the price. This is not a theoretical risk. This is a clear and present danger.
We don’t need to look far to understand what could go wrong. Just look at the catastrophic incident at the Moss Landing facility in California. The fire and the release of toxic gases there serve as a stark warning of the hazards these systems present, especially when safety measures are inadequate or ignored.
One of the most troubling aspects of this situation is the lack of preparation and resources available to our first responders. Our volunteer firefighters and local police departments are simply not trained or equipped to deal with the kind of high-risk emergencies that can occur at these facilities. We’re talking about highly volatile lithium-ion batteries that can ignite and release toxic fumes when damaged or compromised. The burden on our emergency services would be immense, and their safety — and the safety of everyone in the surrounding area — would be in jeopardy.
Local control must be the cornerstone of any future consideration of battery energy storage. That starts with local zoning laws and community input. We must ensure that municipalities, rather than state-level or corporate interests, retain the power to determine what is appropriate and safe for their unique circumstances. Our local zoning boards, emergency services and community leaders must all be involved in these discussions from the beginning — not after the fact, when it’s too late.
As a coastal community, Island Park faces risks that other municipalities do not. We still recall the devastation wrought by Superstorm Sandy, when flooding destroyed homes, displaced families and caused unimaginable damage to infrastructure. Saltwater intrusion in electrical systems created fire hazards and long-term damage that we are still dealing with today.
Now imagine what would happen if saltwater came into a BESS facility. The chemical reactions, the risk of explosions, the release of toxins into the air and water — that, too, is unimaginable, yet it’s a very real possibility.
We cannot, and must not, allow our neighborhood to become another cautionary tale. The entire 11558 ZIP code would be affected, as would much of the surrounding area. We must learn from the past and make the responsible choice now — not after disaster strikes.
Island Park is a tight-knit, resilient community. We’ve weathered storms before, and we’ve come back stronger every time. But we shouldn’t have to face avoidable threats simply because someone wants to fast-track a new energy initiative without due diligence. Energy innovation is important, yes — but not at the expense of lives, safety and community integrity.
We deserve a seat at the table. We deserve transparency, accountability and protection. Let’s take the right stand now. Let’s fight for a permanent moratorium on battery energy storage systems in Island Park and throughout the Town of Hempstead. Our community is worth protecting. Don’t “BESS” with Island Park.
Michael G. McGinty is mayor of Island Park.
