(Patchogue, NY) – New York State Senators Dean Murray (R,C – E. Patchogue) and Anthony Palumbo (R,C – Riverhead) recently sent a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul urging her to pause plans to build a massive battery energy storage system (BESS) facility in the Manorville area of Suffolk County. 

 

Currently, there are very real concerns over the safety of BESS facilities, especially in relation to the health and wellbeing of the neighboring communities should a lithium-ion battery fire break out.  “When it comes to the question of safety at these BESS facilities, there are simply too many important questions that have yet to be answered and I'm not willing to move forward without those answers and gamble with the safety of my constituents” stated NYS Senator Dean Murray, 3rd Senate District.  “God forbid a fire does break out at this massive facility, our firefighters need more of a plan than, "let it burn", which is the state's official policy for such fires," Murray added.

 

Meanwhile, NYS Senator Anthony Palumbo, 1st District stated, "As Senator, my top priority is to protect the health and safety of the communities I represent, the environment, and our drinking water. Following the battery energy storage system (BESS) fire in East Hampton and the subsequent contamination of the area's drinking water, I believe it is prudent to pause further construction of battery storage facilities in Suffolk County. That pause should last until a thorough review is completed, and safety measures are strengthened to better protect the region's drinking water and Long Islanders."

*Attached is the letter that was sent to Governor Hochul.