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Dunkirk council members Natalie Luczkowiak and Frank Torain offered some words of wariness about Battery Energy Storage Systems at the most recent Common Council meeting.
Luczkowiak said the city must "set standards within our zoning codes" for BESS, which store power for electric companies to use at times of high demand.
"We need dedicated zoning regulations such as neighborhood buffer zones; property line setbacks completely obscured from the public; mandatory high fences surrounded by vehicle impact wedges or pillars; the removal of batteries after 180 days of inactivity, etc.; and/or whatever is appropriate," the councilwoman stated.
Luczkowiak noted that GCI Lighthouse has already had a BESS approved for a wooded area well back from Brigham Road. City officials "have talked with them at length; it is a company with much experience already meeting these standards."
However, she continued, "the one proposed by Gridi Development to be placed behind the (former) UPS building on Brigham is too close to residents and School 5, and would not be obscured from the public. I realize it is a smaller megawatt size; however, everything could be subject to change. It was set before the Planning Board and thank goodness, there are members questioning and calling for specific zoning codes."
Luczkowiak called for specific zoning code amendments dealing with BESS.
"Before the next council meeting, I will be talking with the mayor and putting this subject under New Business. With the help of the mayor, city attorney and the Planning Board, let's draft and present proposed zoning code amendments to specifically regulate BESS within the City of Dunkirk, especially regarding safety. We can cite the New York State BESS law from NYSERDA as a template. A lot of (the state's) cities are copying that."
She said that it would not be an outright ban on BESS projects. Rather, it would regulate them.
Luczkowiak asked Fire Chief Nick Barter "about special hazard training regarding battery storage units, now that we have GCI Lighthouse to begin in 2028, such as a first responder emergency operations plan? We could seek reimbursement from the company for any needed special equipment."
Barter said "we will be involved in the training process for that site," as with any new industrial site. "However, our training with those facilities will directly correspond with the equipment located on that and what you'll see in the emergency response plan."
Torain noted that "council has not received any resolutions for" Gridi's proposed BESS, "so we have not made any decisions where that project is concerned. It is still in the hands of the (city) Planning Board, and the Planning Board has tabled it (to take) a look at the zoning codes which are being worked on." The target date for zoning updates is Jan. 1, he said.
"There's some processes that we are going through. I want the public to know that -- don't take that as, 'We are definitely going to allow this project to go through,'" Torain said. He repeatedly stated, "We're not there."
The councilman added, "We are listening to everything that the public has said about it and we are listening to all the potential hazards that come with it. That company, they're responsible for bringing that project forward and convincing us that that's a good project. If they can't convince us that's a good project, that's on them, and we can definitely say no."