Residents press New Milford council to block proposed Flat Iron battery storage project

Dozens of New Milford residents urged the Town Council on Monday night to halt plans for a proposed Flat Iron Energy battery storage facility they say would endanger neighborhoods, local water resources and community assets.

Residents who live near the proposed site on Aspatuck Ridge described risks they said the company has not addressed, including fire hazards, airborne toxins and effects on the town’s aquifer and wildlife. “This is a discussion about human life, mine, my family’s, my neighbors,” said Carol Tyer, who told the council her 1850 home sits in the direct line of exposure to the proposed facility.

Why it matters: Under Connecticut’s siting process, large energy projects can be approved at the state level, but the town can intervene, hire technical experts and present evidence about local impacts. Opponents told the council they want the town to act now to preserve those options and to prepare technical rebuttals if the project moves to the state siting council.

Technical concerns and examples: A scientist who testified, Sam Brower, warned of fire behavior at utility-scale lithium-ion storage sites and of combustion byproducts such as hydrogen fluoride. Brower cited a January 2025 fire at California’s Moss Landing facility as evidence that large storage fires can reignite and create persistent hazards; he said hydrogen fluoride detection and long-term chemical impacts are both challenging and serious.

Public pressure and allegations about developer outreach: Several speakers said the developer’s recent outreach used multiple simultaneous stations that dispersed public questions and limited sustained challenge. Residents repeatedly criticized what they described as incomplete or conflicting information at developer meetings and said the company’s public presentation team lacked experience operating completed battery facilities.

Council action and next steps: At the meeting a council member moved to suspend the rules and add Flat Iron Energy/Treebeard discussion and possible action to the agenda; the motion passed by voice vote with one member recorded as opposed. Mayor Pete Bass said the town will appear as an intervenor before the state siting council, has asked the town attorney to examine a possible moratorium and intends to use a municipal participation account (estimated by the mayor at about $40,000 when the developer files) to hire independent environmental and technical consultants. The mayor scheduled a special workshop-style meeting for Jan. 26 at New Milford High School starting at 6:30 p.m. where Flat Iron will present and town boards and commissions will be present.

What the council authorized: The council authorized the mayor to begin vetting third-party consultants and to take steps toward a nonbinding town referendum so residents can formally weigh in. The council also approved adding the item to the agenda so commissions can begin preparatory work before any siting application is filed.

What remains unresolved: The developer has not filed a formal siting application yet, and no formal local denials or permits were issued during the meeting. The town’s legal options at the state siting council and the scope of a possible local moratorium remain subject to later legal review.

The council adjourned its public-comment block and moved into regular business; the battery facility matter is scheduled for further discussion at the Jan. 26 special meeting.