A multi-year saga has finally ended as Jupiter Power, a Texas-based battery storage company owned by BlackRock, has cancelled its contract to build the Oyster Shore Energy Storage following a grassroots effort by Glen Head, Glenwood Landing and Sea Cliff residents in opposition to the proposal.
The project, first put forward to the Town of Oyster Bay in 2022, had generated controversy among residents from the outset, sparked by fears over fire safety, impact on property value, and traffic and environmental concerns.
“We're elated. I mean, we are as happy as we can be,” George Pombar, president of the Glen Head-Glenwood Civics Council, trustee of the Water Authority of North Shore and outspoken critic of the project, said. “The community as a whole is thrilled about this news.”
The announcement came after
three separate extensions of six-month moratoriums on the development of lithium battery facilities, protests by citizens and elected officials and several public hearings.
The proposed 275-megawatt battery energy storage system would have replaced the current Global Petroleum terminal at the corner of Glen Head Road, Shore Road, and Glenwood Road near Tappen Beach in Glenwood Landing.
The Texas-based battery storage company stated in a press release that the decision was made following a recent evaluation of projects in active development across the United States. Additionally, the company will refocus its development efforts elsewhere, although it does not specify the exact location.
“Although the Oyster Shore project would bring many economic and grid resiliency benefits to Long Island and New York,” the statement read. “There was no viable permit path for the project. Jupiter Power would like to thank the site owner and the many neighbors, individuals, and organizations in the community who sought a fair hearing for the many benefits and development circumstances related to the project.”
The project had faced opposition from the outset from concerned community members, civic groups, and even the school district. Jupiter representatives held multiple information sessions, presentations and open houses to attempt to assuage fears, but very few residents seem to have been won over by the project.
The Town of Oyster Bay described the decision as “great news” in a written statement, adding that the town is committed to ensuring that future energy projects align with the best interests of the communities. The town also emphasized in the statement that “residential neighborhoods are absolutely the wrong place for such a facility.”
On the flip side, opposition to Oyster Shore was vocal and organized, with disparate organizations from across Glenwood Landing, Glen Head and Sea Cliff attending relevant public meetings in force.
North Shore residents have been a common sight at Town of Oyster Bay meetings for the past two years, begging town officials to prevent the project from continuing.
“There were a lot of concerns with the development like this in a densely populated area. I think with those safety questions unanswered, it's the best outcome,” District Superintendent Chris Zublionis said. “We just didn't have concrete answers on how things like fires would be handled and evacuations if there was a fire”
Fire chiefs from across Long Island raised concerns about fighting potential fires at BESS factories, pointing to the heat, duration and intensity of the flames from the factories. In addition, several firefighters brought up that while water can be used to cool the containers and prevent fire from spreading, it will not directly extinguish the flame.
Jupiter attempted to sell the project to the community as an environmentally-friendly improvement on the existing petroleum terminal. At several public presentations, company representatives highlighted the potential for decreased truck traffic and lower risks of oil spills in Hempstead Harbor due to the transition from oil storage to battery energy storage.
In
this case community members decided that the potential environmental benefits did not outweigh the perceived risks to the residential safety. Despite this, supporters of clean energy systems have not given up on the idea of bringing green power to the North Shore
The Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor released a statement following the announcement of the contract cancellation, emphasizing its support for renewable energy initiatives while also maintaining the importance of ensuring community safety.
Further, they called on local elected officials to “to develop clear guidelines for the siting of these facilities,” particularly with regards to safety and zoning.
“While there are currently no active applications for BESS facilities, CSHH remains committed to a rigorous and transparent review process for any future proposals,” the statement read. “We believe that thorough safety and environmental studies, along with meaningful community involvement, should be central to that process.”
