A Potential Toxic Hazard
This 116-megawatt Lithium Battery storage facility is in the process of being green-lighted on the Somers-Mahopac border. It is a potential deadly environmental concern for all residents in nearby neighborhoods.
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SOMER FIRE DISTRICT BOARD of COMMISSIONERS
"...we have numerous concerns regarding adequate training of firefighters, who are unequipped and unprepared" -
Letter from Supervisor Robert Scorrano to Carmel Planning Board
"The projected site is situated in the Muscoot Reservoir drainage basin of New York City's Water Supply" -
Statement from Westchester County Executive George Latimer Regarding Proposed Battery Storage Facility
"I have been in touch with Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne regarding the proposed battery storage facility in Carmel, particularly its proximity to Somers."
One of the major concerns raised by residents is the fire risk associated with Lithium batteries. Due to their high energy density and flammable electrolytes, Lithium batteries have the potential to cause catastrophic fires.
A fire at the proposed facility would put homes and families at risk from airborn toxic gasses, as well as contaminate local reservoirs and sewers with hazardous materials.
The Dangers of BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems)
Battery energy storage systems are becoming increasingly popular as a way to store renewable energy and provide backup power during outages. However, there are also potential dangers associated with these systems. One major concern is the risk of thermal runaway, where the battery overheats and catches fire. This risk is heightened in larger systems or when batteries are not properly installed or maintained. In addition to fire hazards, there is also the potential for toxic fumes and chemicals to be released during a battery malfunction. These dangers highlight the importance of proper installation, maintenance, and monitoring of battery energy storage systems to ensure the safety of both people and property.
Below are a few of the latest BESS disasters that have occurred in the last year AND in N.Y. These fires burn red hot for extended periods of time and release dozens of toxins into the air and water supply.
Not "If" but "When" a Battery Fire/Explosion Occurs
These fires can’t be extinguished with chemicals or water – they must “burn out” while firefighters in Hazmat suits monitor. They claim “6 hours to burn down”, yet a recent fire at a small 10 MW battery site burned for 11 days & residents for miles around were forced to evacuate.
Worth noting, all of the below examples occurred at much smaller facilities than the proposed 116-Megawatt facility on the boarder of Mahopac and Somers.
Warwick, NY
12 Megawatt
June 28th, 2023. Orange County officials say toxins like hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide may have been among dozens of chemicals people nearby were breathing during the fire that smoldered for weeks.
Click here for the News 12 Report.
Lyme, NY
20 Megawatt
July 27th, 2023. Neighbors within a one mile radius of a large battery fire at a solar farm on County Route 179 in the Town of Lyme had been told to shelter in place due to concerns of toxic smoke. Fire crews from across the county fought the flames until they were finally extinguished around 11 a.m. on Sunday, July 30.
Click here for the CBS News Report.
East Hampton, NY
5 Megawatt
May 31st, 2023. A consequential health hazard was created when the Town of East Hampton’s primary water supply was poisoned by run-off water used to extinguish the fire at the East Hampton battery storage facility on May 31, 2023. Toxins that can lead to cancer and other illnesses were released into our sole source of freshwater.
Read an email sent to Residents of East Hampton weeks after the disaster.
Links & Resources
Below are links to resources to help give you an understanding of the dangers associated with BESS accidents as well as local response to the events unfolding.
Emerging Hazards of Battery Energy Storage System Fires
There has been a dramatic increase in the use of battery energy storage systems (BESS) in the United States.
Unfortunately, these lithium cells can experience thermal runaway which causes them to release very hot flammable, toxic gases. In large storage systems, failure of one lithium cell can cascade to include hundreds of individual cells. The hot flammable gases can result in an explosion, or a very difficult to extinguish fire.
Read More
Lawmakers demand transparency on Carmel lithium-ion battery storage facility
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-17) is among those urging the planning board and the state to thoroughly investigate the environmental impacts of the proposed facility.
Sen. Pete Harckham (D-40) also voiced similar concerns in a statement released last week, highlighting the need for a comprehensive assessment of the project's potential effects on the community and the environment.
Somers Supervisor ‘Strongly Opposed’ to Mahopac Battery Farm
MAHOPAC and SOMERS, N.Y. — In a sharply worded letter to Carmel planning officials, as well as county, state, and federal representatives, Somers Supervisor Robert Scorrano said his town, as well as the Somers Fire Department, are “strongly opposed” to a proposed grid-scale battery project currently before the Carmel Planning Board seeking site plan approval.
Somers Officials Speak Out Against Battery Storage Facility
County and town officials in Westchester are speaking out against a proposed battery storage facility in the Hudson Valley that may pose safety concerns and has already garnered an opposing petition from residents.
Proposed East Point Energy project draws criticism from residents
CARMEL – Stephanie Azadian is part of a contingent in her Somers neighborhood against a proposed 116-megawatt battery storage site that would be located on the Westchester-Putnam County line that she said would be approximately 200 feet from her backyard.
Westchester residents join Putnam neighbors to oppose proposed Carmel battery plant
The proposal has received pushback at several previous planning board meetings in the Town of Carmel but now residents in the Town of Somers are joining the fight.
A letter on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Preserve at Somers in support of the proposed Moratorium
Battery energy storage systems are a developing technology and pose a significant risk of fire and explosion to surrounding areas. As this Board is aware, there were three fires at battery
energy storage systems in New York State alone last summer. These facilities were all much smaller than the one East Point Energy is currently proposing to operate in the Town of Carmel.
From the Lithium-Ion Battery Symposium, 3/30/23
Captain Hunter Clare (Peoria Fire-Medical Department) details the events leading up to the lithium-ion battery energy storage system explosion that injured him and three other firefighters in 2019.
Hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide possibly among toxins found at Warwick battery site 7/7/23
Orange County officials say toxins like hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide may have been among dozens of chemicals people nearby were breathing during the days long fire that started June 28.
What Can You Do
Write or Call Your County and State Officials
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Rose Trombetta, Carmel Planning Board
845-628-1500 ext 190 Email
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Putnam County
County Executive Kevin M. Byrne
40 Gleneida Avenue, 3rd Floor Carmel, New York 10512
(845) 808-1001
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Westchester County
County Executive George Latimer
148 Martine Ave # 900, White Plains, NY 10601
(914) 995-2900
Contact Us
If you are interested in helping keep our neighborhood safe please fill out the form. We will be sending informational emails about where and when action needs to take place in order to fight back against the battery farm that threatens our area.
BESS Facility Fires in the US:
Town of East Hampton
Warwicks Emergency Response Plan: