The Oyster Bay Town Board is deeply concerned about the cumulative impacts of offshore wind projects, large-scale transmission projects, and the construction of battery energy storage system, or BESS, facilities on the community. These initiatives are interconnected, and their infrastructure and potential disturbances could significantly impact the local environment and suburban quality of life.
In response, the Town Board unanimously enacted a moratorium on BESS facilities. We continue to oppose the actions of Gov. Kathy Hochul and the State Legislature, which aim to bypass the town’s environmental review and planning processes to allow the construction of major energy transmission projects.
The Propel Energy Project, recently supported by Albany lawmakers, includes 89 miles of new underground transmission lines connecting nine existing or new substations across Long Island, Queens, the Bronx and Westchester counties. A 9.1-mile line will cross the Long Island Sound between Oyster Bay and New Rochelle. Local towns like Oyster Bay have no say in these decisions, because Hochul and the Legislature have approved measures to override local zoning laws for such projects. While the town supports sustainable energy initiatives, it stresses the need for local control over zoning decisions due to the significant risks posed by these projects. The town argues that Albany’s actions undermine local voices and the public hearing process.
Recent incidents, such as a wind turbine accident in Nantucket that resulted in environmental and economic damage, highlight the risks of rushing these projects. Additionally, there are concerns about safety and the environmental impact of fires at battery energy storage facilities. While BESS facilities offer the potential of energy reliability, they also bring safety and environmental risks that require thorough local evaluation. Key concerns include:
To address these issues, the Town Board has implemented a moratorium on BESS, allowing time to consider the potential risks to residents and the environment. This pause ensures that there is proper planning before we move forward with projects that could cause significant and potentially irreversible harm. The moratorium also gives the community more time to organize and express their concerns.
Local zoning laws are meant to protect residents and ensure that development aligns with community needs and values. They provide a platform for residents to voice their opinions on projects that affect their neighborhoods. Albany’s actions to override town zoning laws threaten local governance and disregard the unique concerns of individual communities and their residents.
The town encourages residents to contact Hochul, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins to demand respect for local zoning authority. Maintaining local control, such as through Oyster Bay’s moratorium on BESS, ensures that community safety and well-being are prioritized. The town calls on residents to act quickly to support local decision-making and protect their community.
Joseph Saladino is supervisor of the Town of Oyster Bay.