Renewable energy supporters have been pushing grid energy storage hard, as global temperatures gradually rise. But perhaps they overlooked the legitimate concerns of nearby residents as they did. Two lawmakers in New York state are seeking to regulate battery storage sites. After a fire broke out at a facility near Lyme and Chaumont on the banks of Lake Ontario on August 27, 2023.
What Happened When Firefighters Arrived
The recent battery storage fire that burned for four days near Lyme and Chaumont has resulted in two lawmakers proposing new legislation for the state. Post Journal confirms residents in the rural area, within a one-mile-square radius were concerned about air safety, after being told to shelter for several hours during lengthy firefighting, which continued for four days.
However, it was the lack of fire-fighting information that caused the lawmakers to take action to control battery storage sites in their state. Response-team members were initially unsure what action to take, because there was no onsite data advising how to tackle the fire. Post Journal reports the company responsible for the site ‘took between six and eight hours’ to provide the information.
State Lawmakers Seek to Regulate Battery Storage Sites
Assemblyman Scott Gray, and Senator Mark Walczyk have introduced proposal A.7972/S.7622. This requires solar farms to post safety data sheets in areas emergency responders may access, in the case of fires or other emergencies.
But the two state lawmakers are not stopping there. They are proposing a freeze in additional battery storage sites, until the investigation at the Lyme and Chaumont site is complete. The International Association of Fire and Rescue Services suggests lithium-ion batteries caused the fire.
“When the community accepted the solar developers’ proposal,” Senator Mark Walczyk points out. “They were trying to go green. Not expose residents of Lyme and Chaumont to carbon monoxide, phosphoryl fluoride, hydrogen fluoride, and who knows what else.” That’s fair comment about an incident that merits comprehensive investigation.
More Information
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International Association of Fire and Rescue Services Report
