The proposed installation of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) has sparked concern among residents living close to the planned facility. Homeowners are voicing their apprehensions about the potential impacts on their daily lives and the environment.
Albert Lawrenson, a homeowner living next to the proposed site, expressed his concerns, stating, "shouldn't have to wake up and worry about day to day, hour to hour, and minute to minute." Similarly, Robert Cuccio, whose backyard faces the proposed location on Station Road, acknowledged the preservation of trees by the project planners but raised doubts about their safety, remarking, "I'm glad they're gonna leave the trees, but trees burn. Can't you put it by the dump?"
Darcy Stevens from Bellport highlighted the cumulative impact of various projects on her community, stating, "My community is already overburdened with projects." The residents' primary worries revolve around the potential for hazardous waste and the suitability of a residential area for such an industrial project.
Despite these concerns, the project has its proponents. Sean Meehan, a business representative from IBEW Local 25, assured that the union's involvement would ensure the project's safety and compliance with labor standards. "The union is behind the project, using union labor and doing it as safe as possible," Meehan said. Tim McCarthy, also representing IBEW, emphasized the importance of the project for New York's energy needs, stating, "New York will require a diverse portfolio of renewable energy, and BESS is a part of it," highlighting the economic benefits and job opportunities the facility would bring.
The proposed BESS is designed to adhere to strict safety standards, including NFPA fire codes. The facility plans include multiple levels of protection against potential hazards, such as high CFM fan activation in response to hazardous gas detection, thermal sensors for fire suppression, and a dry pipe system for emergency fire response.
The Town of Brookhaven, which is Long Island's largest town by geographical size and second-largest by population, has enacted specific zoning regulations for BESS installations. These regulations, detailed in Sections 85-814 through 85-817 of the Town's Zoning Code, categorize BESS facilities based on their capacity and dictate their permissible locations and requirements, including setback distances, lot size, and decommissioning plans.
As the debate over the BESS project continues, both sides present compelling arguments for their stance on its development. The Town of Brookhaven's zoning regulations and project proponents' commitment to safety standards aim to address residents' concerns while developing essential energy infrastructure.