A battery storage setback invoice put New York lawmakers on discover after Queens residents traveled to Albany to demand stronger protections close to properties, colleges and hospitals.
The residents went to the State Capitol on Could 18 for Foyer Day. They met with representatives, spoke with employees members and left info for lawmakers.
Andrea and William Scarborough hosted the journey and led members of Queens communities who oppose the unfold of NineDot Power battery storage services in dense neighborhoods.
The residents say lawmakers have to act earlier than extra battery vitality storage programs advance close to households, lecture rooms and medical services.
Their goal is Meeting Invoice A6955C and its Senate companion, S7197B.
The payments would require New York’s Division of Public Service to develop guidelines, rules and mannequin insurance policies for battery vitality storage siting.
They’d additionally require minimal setbacks for business battery vitality storage programs with a capability over three megawatts.
Beneath the Senate invoice textual content, these programs would wish to sit down no less than 750 toes from an occupied dwelling, home, farm constructing or college constructing. In cities with a inhabitants of 1 million or extra, the setback could be no less than 300 toes.
The invoice additionally requires public hearings earlier than allow approval.
Associated Story: Lithium Battery Storage Facility: UPON THE INNOCENTS THEY PLAN TO BUILD THEIR INFERNO
Power Committee Holds Battery Storage Setback Invoice
The Meeting model stays earlier than the Meeting Power Committee.
That committee now faces strain from residents who say it should act earlier than battery storage approvals create extra neighborhood conflicts.
Assemblymember Didi Barrett chairs the Meeting Power Committee.
Residents recognized Barrett as a key official as a result of the invoice wants to maneuver by that committee earlier than it could advance.
In addition they named Power Committee members they are saying ought to step up and defend constituents.
These members embrace Khaleel Anderson, Ken Blankenbush, Sarah Clark, William Conrad, Landon Dais, Erik Dilan, Scott Grey, Nikki Lucas, Brian Manktelow, Philip Palmesano, Sam Pirozzolo, Jonathan Rivera, Angelo Santabarbara, Sarahana Shrestha and Steve Stern.
Residents additionally named Sen. James Sanders Jr. among the many officers they need to see act on the battery storage setback invoice.
Their message was direct: lawmakers mustn’t wait till a battery storage incident forces the problem.
Residents Accuse NineDot of Deceptive Communities
The dispute facilities on NineDot Power and its push to construct battery vitality storage services throughout New York Metropolis neighborhoods.
Residents accuse NineDot of deceptive communities about vitality wants, website areas, security and environmental dangers.
In addition they level to Con Edison considerations about fast battery storage progress and grid impacts in New York Metropolis.
NineDot rejects claims that its tasks endanger communities.
The corporate says its battery storage websites comply with FDNY and Division of Buildings guidelines. It says its programs use a number of layers of security safety, together with monitoring, fireplace detection, strain vents, backup energy and FDNY coordination.
NineDot additionally says battery storage helps create a cleaner and extra dependable grid by storing vitality and discharging it throughout peak demand.
Opponents don’t settle for that reply.
They are saying the query shouldn’t be whether or not New York ought to use battery storage in any respect. They are saying the query is why business lithium-ion battery programs ought to sit close to properties, colleges, hospitals and different public-facing websites.
To residents preventing the tasks, the dispute not appears like a planning disagreement.
They are saying builders and public officers proceed to reduce fireplace threat, neighborhood density, emergency-response considerations and the siting of battery programs close to households.
Fireplace Danger Drives Albany Strain
Residents additionally raised considerations about battery fireplace hazards.
Lithium-ion battery thermal runaway can launch flammable and noxious gases. Residents say a fireplace at a business battery storage website may threaten greater than the property the place the system sits.
Their materials cited considerations about poisonous gases, particulates, heavy metals and combustion byproducts.
These considerations embrace:
- Hydrogen fluoride, a corrosive and poisonous gasoline linked to burning fluorinated battery supplies.
- Hydrogen cyanide, a fast-acting poisonous gasoline related to burning plastics and artificial supplies.
- Carbon monoxide, a harmful asphyxiant produced in fires.
- Hydrogen chloride, an acid gasoline launched when sure plastics and wiring supplies burn.
- Particulate matter, together with PM2.5 and PM10, which might carry poisonous residues deep into the lungs.
- Heavy metals, together with lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese and copper residues.
- VOCs, PAHs and dioxins, which residents cite as a part of the broader smoke and fallout concern.
These dangers gas the residents’ demand for enforceable setbacks and public hearings.
They are saying communities mustn’t want to find proposed battery storage websites after plans already superior by authorities companies.
Public Hearings Might Change Battery Storage Approvals
The general public listening to requirement might turn out to be one of the vital vital components of the invoice.
Residents say public hearings would power builders, companies and lawmakers to reply questions earlier than tasks transfer ahead.
These questions embrace website choice, battery chemistry, fireplace response, evacuation planning, runoff, smoke publicity, insurance coverage, property values and long-term accountability after decommissioning.
Opponents additionally say hearings would give residents a file they might use to problem weak approvals.
That issues as a result of many residents imagine the present approval course of leaves neighborhoods with too little warning and too little energy.
A battery storage setback invoice wouldn’t ban battery vitality storage programs.
It might power state and native authorities to deal with siting as a public security subject, not solely an vitality coverage subject.
Queens Residents Warn of Poll Field Response
The Could 18 journey to Albany confirmed that opposition to neighborhood battery storage websites has moved past native conferences.
Queens residents now need the State Legislature to behave.
They are saying lawmakers who delay or ignore the problem might hear from voters.
That warning offers the battery storage debate a political edge.
Residents say the problem touches public security, native management, transparency and belief in authorities.
In addition they say elected officers mustn’t look forward to a battery storage fireplace close to properties, colleges or hospitals earlier than taking motion.
For Queens residents, the battery storage setback invoice now offers Albany lawmakers a transparent alternative: transfer the protection debate into public hearings and enforceable distance guidelines, or depart voters to conclude that neighborhood warnings had been ignored.
From The Nationwide Fireplace Prevention Affiliation, And so forth.:
Fires involving Battery Power Storage Methods (BESS) and common construction fires launch extremely poisonous plumes of smoke, ash, and gases. The first toxins depend upon the supplies burned and battery chemistry, however typically embrace the next harmful compounds and heavy metals:
Poisonous Gases Hydrogen fluoride (HF): Extremely corrosive and poisonous, created when the fluorine in battery electrolytes burns.
Hydrogen cyanide (HCN): A lethal, fast-acting gasoline produced by the burning of plastics, electronics, and artificial supplies.
Carbon monoxide (CO) & Carbon dioxide ((CO_{2})): Toxic asphyxiants that displace oxygen and are universally produced in fires.
Hydrogen chloride (HCl): An acid gasoline launched from burning plastics (like PVC) and wire insulation.
Particulates & Heavy Metals- Metallic particles: Ash and dirt can comprise excessive ranges of lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and copper.
Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10): Soot and dirt that deeply penetrate the lungs, usually carrying hint poisonous metals.
Risky Natural Compounds (VOCs) & Toxins- Benzene: A identified carcinogen launched from burning plastic, petroleum-based supplies, and solvents.
Polycyclic Fragrant Hydrocarbons (PAHs): Carcinogenic chemical compounds that consequence from the unfinished combustion of natural supplies and plastics.
Dioxins: Extremely poisonous chemical byproducts that settle in ash after artificial plastics and digital parts burn.
For detailed info on publicity signs, air high quality security, and dangerous fallout protocols, seek the advice of the New York State Division of Well being or the IAFF Recognized Carcinogens Factsheet.
Overview of gasoline emissions from lithium-ion battery thermal runaway …Could 15, 2024 — 2.3. Toxicity * A number of poisonous compounds generally mentioned embrace CO, HCl, HCN, NO, SO2, HF, fluorinated carbonates, POF3, COF2, acrolein, and formaldehyde [29…ScienceDirect.comToxic fluoride gas emissions from lithium-ion battery fires – PMCIn the event of overheating the electrolyte will evaporate and eventually be vented out from the battery cells. The gases may or may not be ignited immediately.
National Institutes of Health (.gov)Assessment of Potential Impacts of Fires at BESS Facilities
Aug 21, 2025 — • Common Gases Released: BESS fires primarily emit CO, CO2, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and may emit other trace gases such as HF, HCN, or others dep…
The American Clean Power Association (ACP)Toxins released from battery energy storage system fires – Facebook
Mar 21, 2025 — A partial list of toxic chemicals released with BESS fires. Carbon dioxide, Cause headaches, dizziness, confusion, loss of consciousness …Facebook·Stop the proposed Covington Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)Battery Energy Storage Systems – FlirThe fire released toxic gases, forcing the evacuation of 1500 residents. And it was challenging to extinguish due to the nature of lithium-ion batteries, which …FlirPhoenix Fire Department – Facebook
Jan 6, 2026 — We aren’t where we need to be as an industry with recognizing and protecting our staff and clients from the hazards from structure fires, but we are getting the…Facebook·Phoenix Fire DepartmentCurrent Practices: Electric Vehicle and Energy Storage Systems | TEEX.ORG
Jan 15, 2025 — The tests concluded that: * Li-ion battery thermal runaway fires are an extreme emissions event, releasing highly toxic gases and particles that exceed the Occu…TEEX.ORGKnown Carcinogens* in the firefighting Environment | IAFFBladder, Lung, Skin. Asbestos. Naturally occurring minerals used in fireproofing and. insulation. Primarily in building and building materials. before 1989. Col…IAFFMain products of combustion: gases – EMME AntincendioGases are the most dangerous combustion residues, for human health. Combustion residues depend on the original chemical composition of fuels and, as most fuels …EMME AntincendioExposure to Smoke from Fires – New York State Department of HealthAll smoke contains carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and particulate matter (PM or soot). Smoke can also contain different chemicals, like aldehydes, acid gases,www.health.ny.govEnvironmental Impact of Lithium-Ion Battery Fires vs Other Common …
Oct 1, 2025 — In summary, the main materials that make up a BESS include metallic compounds (nickel, manganese, cobalt, lithium, iron, aluminum, copper, steel); carbonaceous …National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)Chemical Poisonings in Fire Conditions and its Treatment
May 16, 2025 — Fire smoke contains several toxic substances, the most widely recognised of which are carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen cyanide (HCN).Discovery Scientific Society
Information Spreads Fast
Information about inherently dangerous battery storage facilities spreads fast despite secrecy and NineDot endeavors.
Residents says that if fiercely enraged voters think a representative is stalling or not doing enough to stop an inextinguishable “Battery Storage Fire-Bomb” being located near homes, schools, and hospitals, constituents will also be heard through the ballot box.
At a press conference in Albany, Assemblymember Williams joined Assembly colleagues. She called for the passage of her legislation that aims to ensure that battery energy storage systems are sited with appropriate distance from neighboring properties and are developed with meaningful community input to protect public safety and local interests. (A.6955C)
See the video: Assemblymember Williams’ Video
