Adirondack towns enact battery storage moratoriums as data center proposal emerges in Dresden
Adirondack towns are enacting moratoriums on battery energy storage systems due to widespread public opposition and environmental concerns, with a lawsuit already resulting in a temporary restraining order on one project. Amidst this, a pre-application for a battery storage system in Dresden, Washington County, also included a map labeled "data center," raising concerns among local officials about its environmental impact and water usage.
A New York State Supreme Court judge in Fulton County has issued a temporary restraining order against Carson Power's utility-sized battery energy storage system in Northampton, following a lawsuit filed by resident Sara Will-White. The lawsuit, targeting the Adirondack Park Agency (APA), the town of Northampton, its planning board, Carson Power, and the landowner, seeks to halt these systems, citing concerns about battery fires, public health, and environmental impacts.
Across the Adirondack Park, towns like Crown Point in Essex County and Chester in Warren County have recently passed one-year moratoriums on battery storage facilities, joining other municipalities like Northampton and St. Armand. This trend reflects widespread public opposition, with residents packing public hearings to voice environmental concerns, including the 'forever wild' protection of the park and the suitability of such systems.
Adding to the region's development discussions, Alternative Green Investment Florida submitted a pre-application for a battery energy storage system in Dresden, Washington County, which also included a map with a "data center" label. Although the APA states the pre-application is only for the battery facility, Dresden officials Marilyn Bordman and Allen Wilbur expressed alarm over potential data center development, citing environmental impact, water usage, and pollution concerns. The APA acknowledges growing public interest in data centers and will evaluate future proposals based on facts and applicable laws.