Monday, May 19, 2025
For over three years, my colleagues — former Congressman Anthony D’Esposito, State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, County Legislator Patrick Mullaney, and advocacy groups like Protect Our Coast–Long Island New York — have raised serious concerns about the dangers of large-scale battery energy storage systems and offshore wind projects. At a news conference on April 16, we once again called for a full review of these projects and their risks.
That same day, the Trump administration halted construction on the Empire Wind project, citing “serious issues with respect to the project approvals.” This action validated the concerns we’ve raised — that these projects are moving forward too quickly, without adequate transparency or safety assurances.
In response to my op-ed in the March 27-April 2 issue of the Herald, “Battery energy storage systems are a growing threat,” Doreen Harris, president and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, accused me of spreading “blatant misinformation,” claiming that NYSERDA’s work is “based on facts, science and common sense.” She acknowledged risks, but argued that technology is improving and New York has strong safety protocols, including updates to fire codes.
Harris also rejected concerns about diesel generator reliance, asserting that battery storage reduces fossil fuel use. She defended the Renewable Action Through Project Interconnection and Deployment, or RAPID, Act, claiming it “streamlines permitting” while maintaining “critical safeguards,” and insisted that local governments remain “vital partners” — though she added that “New York cannot afford to let local opposition dictate the fate of a statewide energy plan.”
While Harris emphasizes regulation, fire safety professionals across the country have made it clear that lithium-ion battery fires present unprecedented challenges. New York City’s chief of operations, Frank Leeb, told The New York Times that these fires are “different” and “can be very, very dangerous.” Florida state Fire Marshal JoAnne Rice described a major BESS fire there as “burning hotter and faster than any fire we’ve ever seen, and we don’t have the tools.”
These are not hypothetical risks; they are real, recurring hazards. BESS fires have injured firefighters, displaced families and forced evacuations. While safety protocols may improve, these systems still present a significant risk to the communities where they’re located.
Moreover, the technical feasibility of these projects is in question. Electrical engineer Rich Ellenbogen explains that to power his factory using solar and battery storage, he would need to scale up solar capacity sixfold and deploy 60 40-foot containers of batteries. “Even then,” he said, “it might still not be enough to meet demands reliably.” Worse, such a facility would be illegal in a densely populated area under the New York state Building Code — a serious concern when considering placing these systems in residential neighborhoods.
Ellenbogen also debunks the claim that these batteries store renewable energy effectively. In reality, especially in downstate New York, where 90 percent of the energy is fossil fuel-based, there is never enough renewable energy to store. Instead, he argues, BESS systems store fossil fuel-generated electricity, increasing the carbon footprint by 20 percent. With the cancellation of renewable projects like the Clean Path NY project, Ellenbogen warns that there will be insufficient renewable energy to store downstate for many years.
Taxpayers may be left with another multi-billion-dollar boondoggle that increases emissions while putting communities at risk.
While defending the RAPID Act, Harris ignored the fact that it bypasses meaningful local input, giving Albany control over permitting decisions. Even she admits that local governments’ influence is limited, saying, “New York cannot afford to let local opposition dictate the fate of a statewide energy plan.”
Fortunately, Democratic Assemblywoman Jaime Williams has introduced a bill that would require common-sense safeguards, like a 1,000-foot setback from residential areas and mandatory public notification before approving any new BESS project. This is exactly the type of bipartisan, community-first thinking we need.
We are not opposed to renewable energy. We are opposed to unsafe, unproven, and politically rushed policies that gamble with our communities’ health and safety. Our message is simple: Show us these technologies are safe, effective and financially and environmentally beneficial — then we’ll talk. Until then, New Yorkers deserve a pause, a review, and a voice in what’s being built next door.
I will continue to stand with anyone who believes that safety, transparency and local control should never be sacrificed in the name of ideology. New Yorkers aren’t asking for much — just the truth.
Ari Brown represents the 20th Assembly District.
