East Hudson Valley News

Assemblyman Matt Slater has introduced a bill that mandates the Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) to establish standards for the siting of large-scale renewable energy systems, including battery energy storage. The legislation comes in response to concerns from municipalities in the Hudson Valley about potential risks to public health and the environment posed by these projects.

In recent developments, large-scale energy storage projects have been proposed in sensitive areas such as the Hudson River watershed. Local communities are worried about their impact on ecosystems and infrastructure. Although the 2024-25 New York State Budget increased ORES's authority and added protections for Native American and agricultural lands, it did not extend these safeguards to the Lower Hudson River Watershed.

“The Hudson River watershed is one of the most environmentally sensitive regions in our state, yet large-scale battery energy storage systems are not subject to the same level of oversight as other developments in the region,” Slater stated. “This legislation will ensure municipalities have a voice in decisions that affect their communities, as they have every right to. No project should proceed without their full involvement and understanding of the potential risks.”

Slater's initiative follows efforts made last year with Congressman Mike Lawler when they engaged with residents concerned about a local battery storage proposal. He also addressed Gov. Kathy Hochul through a letter signed by town supervisors within his district, advocating for watershed protections and more local control over these projects.

“We must find a balance between the development of renewable energy and protecting the interests of our local communities," Slater emphasized. "The proposal to build a new energy storage site in the Hudson Valley without local input or oversight has faced widespread opposition from residents and every local government."

Senator Mario R. Mattera expressed support for this legislative effort: “We have already seen catastrophic failures...proving that these facilities are an environmental and public safety disaster waiting to happen." He praised Smithtown's Supervisor Ed Wehrheim and Huntington's Supervisor Ed Smyth for placing moratoriums on such facilities, calling for responsible planning rather than reckless mandates prioritizing radical policies over community protections.