A highly charged topic regarding Battery Energy Storage Systems is likely to bring plenty of feedback for the town of Dunkirk. A public hearing on the moratorium for the projects will be discussed at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

The Town is considering extending the moratorium — set to expire later next month — for another six months. The extension is sought to allow for more time to draft a law regarding Battery Energy Storage Systems. The Town recently held a workshop on the matter, and another workshop is scheduled for Thursday, March 26 at 5:30 p.m. to continue crafting a local law.

Already, a potential $500 million project for one of these systems is being looked at for the city of Dunkirk. Its Planning Board approved a site plan in November and the company taking on the effort is seeking incentives through a Payment In Lieu Of Taxes agreement, including real property tax sales tax abatement and mortgage recording tax abatement.

“We’ve been moving forward in the permitting process and we’re really excited at this stage to talk about how the project is going to work and the financial benefits that, frankly, we need to make this project viable,” said Daniel Brennan of GCI Lighthouse Energy Storage.

A major concern for the town regarding Battery Energy Storage Systems is fire protection, which is why it is pushing for the delay. While we do not always agree with the town in some of its decisions, it usually decides based on the wishes of its residents.

There is nothing wrong with that.