A large lithium battery energy storage system operated by Key Capture Energy that can power 15,000 homes for two hours during outages or high demand sits surrounded by a fence in Blasdell, N.Y., Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)
Concerns over potential battery fires are leading to increased local opposition against energy storage projects across the United States. As large arrays of lithium-ion batteries connect to electrical grids to store energy for peak demand periods, some communities are reacting with caution following incidents like the significant fire at a facility in Moss Landing, California, earlier this year. Residents worry about safety and have begun to push back against these installations.
Michael McGinty, the mayor of Island Park, New York, expressed this sentiment, stating, “We’re not guinea pigs for anybody… we are not going to experiment, we’re not going to take risks.” His community enacted a moratorium in July after a proposal for a battery storage system near the village line was made. This is part of a broader trend, with dozens of localities across the U.S. temporarily blocking the development of large battery systems in response to safety concerns.
Opposition has intensified in regions like Long Island, where the grid is anticipated to receive significant enhancements as offshore wind farms come online. Notably, the Trump administration weighed in during August when Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin criticized the state for hastily approving these sites to meet what he described as “delusional” green energy goals. State officials have disputed this claim.
Battery energy storage systems, often referred to as BESS, play a significant role in enhancing grid reliability. They store energy during low-demand periods and release it when demand peaks, thus helping to mitigate blackouts. A typical installation may consist of rows of shipping containers holding hundreds of thousands of individual battery cells. Both China and the United States are at the forefront of expanding battery storage systems, while countries such as Saudi Arabia, Australia, and the Netherlands have also launched large-scale projects since 2024, according to research by BloombergNEF.
In the U.S., states like California and Texas have led in battery storage capacity, but others are catching up. The American Clean Power Association reported that developers added approximately 4,908 megawatts of battery storage capacity in the second quarter of 2025, with Arizona, California, and Texas contributing around three-quarters of this new capacity—enough to power nearly 1.7 million households. New York has set ambitious goals to add 6,000 megawatts of energy storage by 2030, with a significant focus on large-scale systems.
Opponents of battery storage systems often cite the fear of thermal runaway, a dangerous chain reaction that can lead to fires or explosions. The incident in Moss Landing, which produced toxic smoke and necessitated the evacuation of approximately 1,500 people, has amplified these worries. While experts acknowledge that battery systems have become safer over time, they also emphasize that no system is entirely free of risk. Ofodike Ezekoye, a combustion expert and professor at The University of Texas at Austin, noted that while failures are infrequent, the technology is still evolving. “This is a relatively immature technology that is maturing quickly,” he stated, highlighting ongoing efforts to enhance safety.
Proponents argue that regulations in New York provide robust safety measures that would prevent incidents similar to those seen in California. They assert that facilities like the one in Moss Landing would be prohibited under New York’s fire codes, which mandate modular design and proper spacing to mitigate fire spread. However, community members remain skeptical. In Maple Valley, Washington, for example, city manager Laura Philpot commented on the temporary six-month moratorium, stating it was a precautionary measure until more information is available.
Residents in Halstead, Kansas, will have the opportunity to weigh in on the issue during the upcoming Election Day, when they will be asked whether to ban larger battery storage systems within city limits. Mayor Dennis Travis indicated that the local opposition often fixates on the California fire, despite his belief that a well-designed system could be safely integrated into the community.
The trend of enacting moratoriums has surged since 2023 and 2024, paralleling the rapid deployment of battery storage systems. A presentation by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory highlighted a notable concentration of these local actions, particularly in New York. Residents like Winnie Sokolowski, who oppose a proposed 250-megawatt lithium-ion storage system in the Town of Ulster, New York, express concern over proximity to schools and residential areas. “They’re banking on nothing happening, but I don’t think you can place it where they’re proposing and assume nothing’s going to happen,” she said, emphasizing her belief in the potential risks involved.
In response, the system’s developer, Terra-Gen, asserted that their design incorporates measures to prevent fire spread and stated that the project poses “no credible, scientific-based threat to neighbors, the public, or the environment.” Doreen Harris, President of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, expressed confidence in the state’s safety regulations and the role of battery storage systems in modernizing the grid. She noted that initial concerns regarding solar farms have largely subsided as their benefits have become evident.
As communities grapple with the implications of battery storage installations, the balance between advancing renewable energy and ensuring public safety remains a contentious issue.
