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Westford health officials flag safety and environmental concerns for battery energy storage projects
Summary
The Board discussed fire, toxic‑gas, PFAS, groundwater and water‑use risks tied to battery energy storage systems (BESS) and agreed to prepare comments for the Planning Board; NMCOG is assisting with proposed zoning and bylaw amendments.
Board members flagged multiple public‑health and safety considerations for proposed battery energy storage systems during the May 11 meeting.
Rae Dick told the Board that key concerns include fire and thermal runaway events, potential releases of toxic gases, risks to groundwater and PFAS‑related issues, water usage needed for fire suppression, noise from cooling systems and transformers, and siting close to homes, schools, daycares, senior housing and drinking‑water wells. She said the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments (NMCOG) is assisting the Town with preparing zoning and bylaw amendments related to solar and battery storage in residential, commercial and industrial districts.
Representatives of the Westford Clean Energy and Sustainability and Climate Action committees expressed support for balancing clean‑energy deployment with public‑health protections. The Board agreed to prepare and submit comments or a memo to the Planning Board outlining initial public‑health concerns and recommendations regarding battery energy storage facilities.
The discussion did not include a formal vote; the Board’s next steps are drafting and transmitting written comments to land‑use officials.
