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Delhi board adopts one-year moratorium on large battery energy storage systems
Summary
The Town of Delhi board voted 4–1 to adopt a one-year local law temporarily banning battery energy storage systems while the town updates zoning and its comprehensive plan; public commenters cited fire and air-quality risks and board members warned the law’s language needs clearer scale and exemptions.
The Town of Delhi board voted to adopt Local Law No. 1 of 2026, a one-year moratorium on the siting of battery energy storage systems, after public comment and a lengthened debate about safety and drafting details.
The ordinance passed on a roll-call vote with Maya Bukat voting yes, Simon Kirby voting no, and Josh Morgan, Christina Bour and Dian Gashley voting yes. The moratorium takes effect the day it is enacted and is intended to pause new battery-storage applications while the town completes zoning updates and a comprehensive-plan revision.
Why it matters: supporters said the pause is needed to allow officials time to set safety and siting standards rather than reacting to large projects after they are proposed. Bill Karens, a first responder, urged the board to back the moratorium, saying recent battery-facility fires in nearby communities “don’t go out easily” and have required extended response and air-quality monitoring. He added that emergency services already face resource strains and would prefer clearer local protections before large facilities are sited.
Opponents and concerns: some board members questioned whether a moratorium as written is overbroad. One board member said the draft law appears to apply to all battery-storage systems in town except for 12-volt automotive batteries and electric vehicles, and warned that the text does not distinguish large commercial facilities measured in megawatts from home backup systems measured in kilowatts. That member said the lack of scale could unintentionally deter residents from installing inspected backup systems during an energy crisis and that changes to the text would require a new public hearing and legal review.
Scope and clarifications: the presiding official told the meeting the moratorium would not affect previously approved projects and noted the Highway 10 solar project authorized last year includes no battery-storage component and would remain in place. The official also said residential rooftop solar installations are unaffected.
Process and next steps: board members and staff said the moratorium is temporary, tied to completion of a comprehensive-plan update and zoning revisions expected to be advanced during the coming year. The town announced a consultant-led public forum on the comprehensive plan at Bluestone on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. that will present findings from a public questionnaire and solicit input on topics including clean energy siting. Officials said any change to the adopted text would require a new public hearing and attorney review.
What was decided: Local Law No. 1 of 2026 (battery energy storage moratorium) passed 4–1. The board directed staff to continue work on zoning language and to schedule more detailed zoning discussions at upcoming meetings.
