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North Hempstead extends moratorium on lithium battery energy storage amid safety concerns
Summary
After extensive public testimony and letters from regional officials, the Town Board voted to extend its moratorium on siting lithium‑ion battery energy storage systems (BESS). Residents and volunteer fire chiefs warned of fire risks, evacuation challenges and long-term contamination risks; some council members urged the town to study safe siting and codes.
The Town Board voted to extend the town’s moratorium on siting lithium-ion battery energy storage systems following a lengthy public hearing in which dozens of residents, civic groups and local fire officials urged the town to continue the pause or adopt a permanent ban.
Speakers who urged extension included Christine Kramer of Protect Our Coast, local volunteer fire chiefs and residents who cited the January fire at Moss Landing, California, as an example of an event with prolonged air and water contamination and large evacuation zones. "Moss Landing residents have been dealing with smoke inhalation, chemicals, [and] multiple fires," Kramer said.
Don Sinski, chief of the Glenwood Hook & Ladder, told the board his volunteer department does not have the equipment, manpower or training to manage a large BESS thermal‑runaway event and urged a moratorium or ban for residential areas. "In the event of an emergency from a lithium ion battery fire, Glenwood does not have the equipment, manpower, or resources to fight these fires," Sinski said.
Other residents and civic groups asked the board to require baseline air, soil and water monitoring, stronger on-site safety measures and public bonds to cover long-term remediation if contamination occurs. Some council members urged the town to take a leadership role by building local codes that would require developers to fund firefighter equipment and set minimum siting distances from schools and homes.
Council members debated whether a moratorium should be followed by a town-led study to identify acceptable locations and to adopt stricter building and emergency response requirements. At the meeting the board extended the moratorium while members discussed commissioning a formal review and possible permanent restrictions.
Board members cited the lack of full state guidance and the strain on volunteer fire departments as primary reasons for approving the extension. The resolution passed after roll‑call statements by multiple council members in favor.
