Rome council waives rules and refers six-month moratorium on battery energy storage systems to planning board

The Rome Common Council on May 13 moved quickly to introduce ordinance 9869, a proposed six-month moratorium on the establishment, installation and construction of battery energy storage systems in the city, and then referred it to the planning board for review and a public hearing.

Councilor Dury led discussion about the need for immediate action and clarification in city code to address a new and rapidly developing technology. Dury said batteries for these systems can be the size of a truck and typically would be sited near substations; the council needs definitions, setbacks, required screening and a fire-department response plan in case a unit catches fire. "We need to have an organized plan along those levels," Dury said, noting the city's prior experience with solar moratoria and concerns about decommissioning and end-of-life disposal.

Supporters argued the six-month moratorium would give codes staff and the planning board time to develop appropriate regulations and mitigations before permits are issued. Councilors emphasized protecting residents, businesses and taxpayers from unknown public-safety and fiscal exposure. The council waived Rule Six to consider the ordinance immediately and then moved to table it so the planning board can review the proposal and hold a public hearing.

The council recorded the motion to table and the referral; ordinance 9869 was tabled and is expected to be considered by the planning board. The transcript records the council’s focus on safety, setbacks, screening, fire-department planning, and the need to clarify whether proposed installations are utility facilities or commercial sites.