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Highland Falls residents press board to reject battery storage site near Mountain Avenue
Summary
New Leaf Energy outlined a proposed Battery Energy Storage System and potential lease revenue, but dozens of residents warned of safety, evacuation and property‑value risks after recent floods; the board emphasized no decision yet and said further study and Planning/Zoning review would follow.
Mayor DiSalvo invited New Leaf Energy to present a concept for a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and stressed that the village has made no decision and that the proposal is still at an exploratory stage. New Leaf Project Developer Marky Goodspeed and Senior Associate Zach Mason described the concept and potential financial terms; Mayor DiSalvo said a standard lease under discussion would be $75,000 per year with a 3% annual increase for 25 years and that additional escrow money would fund engineering review.
Residents living on and near Mountain Avenue strongly objected to siting the facility near dense residential neighborhoods that are still rebuilding after recent floods. Merv Livsey Jr. described tens of thousands of dollars of flood repairs to his home and asked rhetorically why a battery facility would be placed near a main village entrance. Charles Cole, who said he lost his home in the flood, questioned whether general liability insurance for the facility would protect nearby homeowners. Brian Frederikson read a prepared statement on behalf of Protect Orange County Now and urged the board to explore locations outside residential areas.
New Leaf responded to questions about emergency response and equipment, saying responders are "required to leave and respond within 15 minutes, be on site within 4 hours," and cited Warwick as a "proof of concept" that did not propagate beyond the container and "used no water." Company representatives said they would provide thermal imaging and air‑monitoring equipment if local fire departments lack it. Trustee Olivia asked about battery chemistry and containment; New Leaf said lithium‑iron‑phosphate chemistries are being used “to reduce a fire event.”
Mayor DiSalvo repeatedly emphasized the exploratory nature of the discussion and the board's intention to include public input, noting upcoming Planning and Zoning Board meetings and a joint Town–Village meeting June 29. No contract or environmental impact studies have been done, he said, and the board has not decided whether to proceed.
