Doreen Harris: Misinformation won’t stop N.Y.’s clean-energy progress

Assemblyman Ari Brown’s op-ed, “Battery energy storage systems are growing threat,” in the March 27-April 2 issue, wildly misrepresented New York’s efforts to build a cleaner, more affordable and more reliable energy future.

As president and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, I want to set the record straight. While we do not comment on pending legislation, we will not stand back as Brown spreads blatant misinformation about the state’s clean-energy transition. Our work is based on facts, science and common sense — not the fear-mongering and falsehoods he has chosen to spread.

One of Brown’s most egregious claims is that battery energy storage systems pose an uncontrollable fire hazard and should be banned. This is completely false. BESS technology has been rigorously tested and regulated, and more than 160 gigawatts have been deployed worldwide to strengthen the reliability of our electrical grid. New York, like many other states and countries, follows strict safety protocols and industry best practices to ensure that these systems operate safely.

Are there risks? Of course — just as with any grid infrastructure, battery storage is continually improving, with advancements in fire suppression and monitoring systems. And that’s why, in February, to help improve deployment of safety standards — and potentially influence codes across the country — the New York State Code Council voted to move ahead with new code language recommended by the Inter-Agency Fire Safety Working Group for inclusion in the next edition of the state’s fire code. Most notably, while the updated codes are expected to be adopted later this year, NYSERDA-sponsored energy-storage projects are already contractually required to meet these recommendations.

Rather than acknowledging the reality, Brown cherry-picked incidents without providing full context or recognizing that modern safety features — including remote monitoring, fire detection and ventilation systems — are specifically designed to mitigate risks. He also falsely claimed that BESS facilities require diesel generators for backup, undermining their environmental benefits. That is simply not true. The vast majority of storage projects are designed to integrate seamlessly with renewable-energy sources, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, not increasing it.

Brown also blatantly lied about my own record, falsely claiming that I had voted to ban BESS in my hometown, which necessitated a correction in the Herald. The truth? I never voted on any such measure because I don’t sit on the Town Board, which voted on battery storage.

He also distorted the reality of the Renewable Action Through Project Interconnection and Deployment, or RAPID, Act. Brown portrayed it as an attempt by the state to force energy projects on communities without their input. The reality is that the RAPID Act streamlines permitting processes for major renewable-energy and electric transmission facilities while maintaining critical safeguards, ensuring that clean-energy projects, including battery storage, are deployed responsibly and efficiently.

Further, stand-alone BESS projects that are not sited alongside commercial solar or wind are not governed by RAPID and are subject to all local zoning provisions.
Energy infrastructure must be planned holistically, not piecemeal. While local governments are vital partners in this transition, the energy grid is interconnected across counties and regions. New York cannot afford to let misguided information and local opposition dictate the fate of a statewide energy plan that would benefit millions of New Yorkers.

What Mr. Brown also failed to mention is that energy storage isn’t just safe — it’s smart economics. Battery storage saves New Yorkers money by reducing the need for dirty, expensive power plants, storing cheap, renewable power for use when prices spike and easing congestion on the grid. It boosts reliability by responding instantly to fluctuations in supply and demand, helping prevent outages and blackouts. And it delays the need for costly new infrastructure — like transmission lines and power plants — that ratepayers would otherwise be on the hook for. In short, storage makes our grid cleaner, more reliable and more affordable.

Despite Brown’s misinformation and false claims, New York’s clean-energy plan is already delivering results.
Rather than misleading the public, we need leaders to support policies that protect our environment, strengthen our economy and reduce energy costs. Fear and obstruction won’t move New York forward — only facts, innovation and a commitment to a sustainable future will.
New Yorkers are smart, and we won’t be deterred by alternative facts. We are building a clean, resilient energy future because it’s the right choice for our state, our economy and our communities.

Doreen M. Harris is president and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.