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Peekskill holds public hearing on six-month moratorium for large battery storage projects
Summary
Council held a public hearing on a proposed six-month moratorium for battery energy storage systems (BESS) exceeding 80 kWh, citing recent regional fires and pending state guidance; a resident spoke in favor of pausing approvals for additional local study.
The council opened a public hearing on a proposed local law to impose a six-month moratorium on permitting and approvals for battery energy storage systems (BESS) with aggregate capacity greater than 80 kilowatt-hours. Corporation counsel summarized that the moratorium is intended to allow the city to await results of a state interagency fire-safety working group and proposed safety and zoning guidance from NYSERDA and other agencies.
One resident, Elena Walker, spoke in support of a pause, citing Peekskill’s riverfront setting and concerns about contaminants in the event of a fire. Staff noted the moratorium includes a hardship provision allowing applicants to seek council consideration if denial would create significant financial hardship. The council closed the hearing and will consider the local law at a later date.
