When our safety is at stake, we need to speak up and put the brakes on dangerous initiatives.

The residents of West Seneca, NY and surrounding areas are deeply concerned and opposed to allowing commercial Battery Energy Storage Systems in our community.

Consider the following:

• These do not belong in any residential area or near schools. The current proposed zoning code, if passed, will permit these facilities in M-1 and M-2 zoned properties with only a 250 foot setback from residential properties and a 500 foot set back for schools and similar buildings.
• Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) lithium battery facilities are known to have fire, explosion, and toxicity risks (according to NYSERDA).
• There is an increase in incidents with Li-ion Battery energy storage facilities. 7 Fires in since May 31, 2023 (4 Fires in NY alone).
• Increased danger to our volunteer fire departments.
• In the event of shelter in place, students would be displaced, which has proven to have many adverse effects. How does this affect the residents quality of life?
• In the event of fire, evacuation would be impossible. In the event of fire, will runoff leach into our water supply?
• What effect will toxins have on residents in the event of fire? No long term impacts haven’t been studied because this is new technology!
• There is no way to put out the fire, it must burn!! What if it spreads?
• Increased utility costs to residents.
• There is a lack of expertise, allowing approvals for installations like this within residential communities, without proper due diligence or community involvement.
• Finding better energy solutions is imperative, but not if it compromises or threatens the residents and ecosystem of the Town of West Seneca and Erie County!
• Any risk to our safety is an unacceptable risk!

The TOWN OF WEST SENECA owes its residents the assurance that WEST SENECA will protect their safety and the safety of our environment by NOT PERMITTING PROJECTS which are capable of causing tremendous disasters in areas where people are living and children are attending school every single day. The town has not shown anything to its residents to assure them that West Seneca and the local fire departments are able to contain a disaster should it occur. With these types of disasters occurring more and more as BESS facilities are installed throughout the country, it is time to SLOW DOWN. The community will be holding local meetings regarding permitting commercial BESS facilities in Town and we encourage our local town leaders and decision makers to attend these meetings as well to let your constituents know that you are looking to make informed decisions for them.

Please join me in signing this petition so we can protect our community’s safety and preserve our precious environment for generations to come and join Citizens for responsible zoning in West Seneca on Facebook!

The undersigned petition the Town of West Seneca, NY to NOT ALLOW commercial battery energy storage facilities in the Town.