While the Chautauqua County Board of Health is weighing the safety of Battery Energy Storage Systems, the city of Dunkirk has gone on record saying they believe the BESS proposed in Dunkirk would be safe.

Nicholas S. Barter, Dunkirk fire chief, penned a letter a year ago to the Dunkirk City Planning Board regarding the 250 megawatt battery storage facility proposed on 16 acres of land at 653 Brigham Road. It has a price tag of up to $500 million.

In early 2025, Barter and other fire department personnel met with representatives from Grid Connected Infrastructure LLC and Coffman Engineers fire protection consultants to discuss fire safety considerations and the City of Dunkirk Fire Department’s ability to provide emergency services to the proposed Lighthouse Energy Storage project.

“During our discussions, we reviewed the project’s overall fire safety strategy, potential hazards, and the infrastructure requirements necessary for effective emergency response. I believe that, with appropriate measures in place, the fire department will be able to respond effectively should we be needed,” Barter wrote.

Should the development move forward. Barter recommended the city planning board require the following:

– The applicant will continue consulting with the fire department to develop an emergency response plan. Once developed, the plan will be available on site and at the Fire Department at all times, include evacuation procedures, and be updated annually.

– The applicant will install a Knox Box, outside of the access point, to store keys for Fire Department access.

– A water supply solution as a condition of approval. This may involve extending an existing water line as our closest hydrant is over 1000 feet from the nearest access point of the proposed site. The Fire Department will review the final plan prior to issuance of a building permit.

– An area outside of the site gate, accessible in all seasons, to allow all fire apparatus to turn around without having to enter the facility gate or back up a considerable distance.

– The installation of bollards on high risk corners to protect the battery units.

– A manual emergency power shut off be available to Fire Department personnel.

– A decommissioning plan for the facility.

– A plan to contain runoff from firefighting as there is a stream adjacent to the proposed site.

“GCI has reiterated their commitment to continued consultation with the City of Dunkirk Fire Department throughout the planning and commissioning phases. The City of Dunkirk Fire Department will work with GCI to develop the emergency response plan, provide fire safety training for all personnel, and ensure that the project satisfies the Fire Department’s operational requirements,” Barter wrote.

Battery Energy Storage Systems are described as shipping containers that one would see on a freightliner. Inside the containers would be racks of modules made up of batteries.

While the majority of residents that appeared at the March Board of Health meeting were complaining about wind turbines, a few residents expressed safety concerns of Battery Energy Storage Systems, worrying about having to evacuate should the BESS catch fire. Board of Health officials are in the process of putting together a letter of recommendations which may include battery storage facilities.