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Clean-energy advocates urge Babylon to let battery-storage moratorium expire
Summary
Representatives from the New York League of Conservation Voters and ACE New York told the Town of Babylon board the moratorium on battery energy storage systems should not be extended; they cited state fire-safety guidance and offered to help with local safety planning and meetings with fire officials.
Julia Damiano, speaking for the New York League of Conservation Voters, told the board the town should allow its moratorium on battery energy storage systems to expire and not extend restrictions that would preclude responsible deployments. “Battery storage is essential for the strong for storing and integrating excess energy from the bridal as well as for providing reliable power during extreme weather or periods of peak demand,” Damiano said, urging the town to update codes to allow appropriately sized systems.
Damiano cited updated safety guidance issued by the New York State Fire Prevention and Building Codes Council in July 2025 and noted support from former FDNY leaders, saying modern systems operate under stringent safety codes. “By either rejecting this clean and safe technology outright or thoroughly veil or creating overly restrictive codes, we are missing an opportunity to provide energy security, grid resilience, local construction jobs, and more stable utility bills for residents,” she said.
Lauren Corcoran Doolin of Alliance for Clean Energy (ACE New York) said her group would bring letters and meet with local fire chiefs and retired FDNY personnel to aid a safety-focused approach to deployment. “There’s no wrong question when it comes to community safety,” Doolin said, offering the organization’s assistance for education and technical discussion.
Both speakers said Babylon had convened a working group over the past six months to study the issue and urged the board to let the moratorium expire so studies and safety guidance can lead to appropriately sited, code-compliant battery storage that supports resilience during extreme weather.
