Moratorium Stops Mahopac 'Battery Farm' Project—For Now

MAHOPAC, N.Y. — The plans to build a 116-megawatt battery energy storage system (BESS) on a 96-acre parcel of land on Miller Road received a severe blow when the Town Board voted unanimously last week to enact a moratorium on such projects.

Public opposition to the project, proposed by Charlottesville, Va.-based East Point Energy and known as the Union Energy Center, began to emerge last winter after the site-plan application first came before the Planning Board. Residents in Somers were quick to point out that while the BESS  (a.k.a. "battery farm") would be in Mahopac, it would also abut the backyards of a Somers residential neighborhood.

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Residents from both communities banded together and began a full-court press in protest against the project. Their efforts have included a Facebook group (which has grown to more than 2,000 members), sidewalk demonstrations with placards, t-shirts, and lawn signs.

They also voiced their concerns in person, attending town and planning board meetings en mass to express their opposition to the plan at every opportunity. They did research, hired an attorney, and wrote relentlessly to town officials.

Chief among the dangers cited by local BESS opponents is the danger of fires—which are not only difficult to control but also emit toxic fumes endangering people, wildlife, and the environment. Other concerns included security at an unmanned facility connected to the power grid, noise pollution, and the negative impact proximity to a battery farm would have on home values.

According to Andrew Campanelli, a lawyer representing 50 property owners opposed to the project, East Point’s battery farm would be six times bigger than the currently largest BESS in New York State.

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Under Carmel’s current town code, such a project would be permitted. But five years ago, the town began to revamp its master plan and zoning code, which would outlaw BESSes the size of the one proposed for Miller Road. However, the revamped master plan and code were not in place when East Point Energy proposed its project.

The six-month moratorium is designed to serve as a stopgap and last until the revised code is adopted, which town officials say should happen later this summer or early fall.

“This puts a hold on any new or existing plan,” Supervisor Mike Cazzari said. “Some asked for a 12-month moratorium, but that isn’t needed. No new applications—nothing. Nothing is getting approved until we get the new code.”

Members of the anti-BESS Facebook group celebrated when they heard the news of the moratorium.

“Hats off to our neighbors in Mahopac/Carmel! Good work and thank you!” wrote Patty Villanova.

“Let’s keep up the good work and keep talking about it," advised Danya Huppert. “It is shocking to me how many people are unaware of this."

Jay Kohllagen wrote, “Your efforts to stop this facility from being built has educated the country!”

Meanwhile, in the wake of the moratorium, East Point Energy said it was still considering its next move.

“East Point Energy is assessing the moratorium approved by the Carmel Town Board to determine the next steps for the Union Energy Center project,” said Tyler Kline, vice president of project development for East Point Energy. “We appreciate the concerns raised by local residents and remain committed to continued engagement with stakeholders throughout the community to ensure the project’s safety. Energy storage is a critical piece of the energy puzzle both now and moving forward as our grid rapidly evolves to address increasing demand and changing infrastructure.”

The board also passed a moratorium on large-scale solar farms at the same meeting. The first public hearing for the master plan took place on July 17.

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