To the Editor:

I would like to commend the New Scotland Planning Board, especially Chairman Jeff Baker and Attorney Crystal Peck, on an excellently run, extremely well attended public hearing on the proposal for the placement of a battery energy storage system (BESS) in Feura Bush.

During my time in town government, this was the largest attendance I have seen at a town meeting. It was great to see the public so engaged on this important project in the town.

As a current town board member, I can’t comment on the approval or denial of a project that is being actively considered by the planning board, but I did want to provide some background on our local town law regulating and controlling battery energy storage systems in New Scotland.

Since New Scotland has major transmission lines, several existing solar fields, and a large National Grid substation, the board knew that it was only a matter of time before the town would receive applications for BESS.

During the summer of 2023, after several reports of fires at BESS locations in New York, we decided to begin work on a BESS law to control and regulate these systems when they came to our town. We reviewed model language from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority as well as laws from other local towns, such as East Greenbush.

After several months of research and drafting, we ended up with a 14-page local law that we believe is the strictest law in the state. Our law limits BESS locations to properties that are at least 7 acres, prohibits the removal of mature forests, requires strict emergency response plans and pollution control measures in the event of an incident, and also requires screening and noise-mitigation measures.

This summer, New York state finalized an updated fire code, with regulations that require all BESS to have 24/7 monitoring, third-party system, dedicated emergency response staff, emergency response plans, decommissioning plans, and training for local fire departments. Our local law requires compliance with these regulations.

Battery energy storage systems are an important part of our clean-energy future, have a minimal footprint, and are a very low impact use as they generate minimal traffic, noise, and light. Of course, the safety and health of our residents is our top concern. I believe that with our strict requirements in our local law, the town board has provided robust protections to residents’ health and safety.

Thank you to my Feura Bush neighbors for showing an interest in and sharing their thoughts on the BESS project. I hope that the information presented at the public hearing, and the many documents made available, helped inform them about this proposed project, these systems in general, and the law that I and my colleagues are proud to have developed.

To stay informed, and to read all the relevant materials for this and other projects in front of the town, please visit the town website and sign up for email alerts through the “notify me” application. 

Dan Leinung

Feura Bush

Member

New Scotland Town Board