I attended the recent meeting in Bloomingdale regarding the proposed battery storage system being proposed at the substation on Mt. Pisgah. I admit I knew very little about battery storage systems except that they occasionally catch fire and other communities have blocked them from being built. I had the impression they were bad and scary. But after doing some research, what I learned allayed my fears and I became an advocate.

As electricity demand is increasing, battery storage systems complement wind and solar projects and eliminate the need to rebuild costly electric infrastructure. Battery storage systems, or BESS for short, help make our existing power grid more efficient by storing power when demand is low and releasing it when demand is high, evening out distribution. Without BESS, when peak demand exceeds capacity, “peaker plants” kick in to fill in the gap and prevent blackouts.

Many “peaker plants” burn fossil fuels, contributing to climate change. Gas fired plants emit pollutants like nitrogen oxide and particulate matter that degrade air quality and increase health risks, such as asthma and cardiovascular disease. The extraction, processing and transportation of fossil fuels carry many risks to the environment as well. The current conflict in the Middle East is interrupting supply and driving up cost, not to mention the cost in human life. I believe we have a responsibility to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality.

Battery storage systems have been around for a while now, with thousands of them in use around the globe. Technological advances have made them more efficient, less costly and safer. Ongoing regulatory development, industry efforts and research initiatives continue to support increased BESS safety. Every time a fire does occur, a root cause analysis is done, leading to improved design and safety features. BESS designs now incorporate module level containment and automatic fire suppression systems. Historical data shows no BESS fire has ever spread beyond its facility, with risks comparable to house fires. Overall, the industry appears to be committed to ensuring the safety of its equipment. New York State passed a law Jan. 1 that includes hazard mitigation analysis by an outside engineer, requirements for emergency responses and mandatory peer review of projects.

We live with risk every day, every time we get in our car or get on an airplane, for example. I believe the benefits of BESS far outweigh the risks. That being said, the communities’ concerns should be considered. In particular, the residents living closest to the facility have to feel safe.

Our local volunteer fire fighters have to be trained in how to manage a BESS fire and have the proper equipment. The availability of water and having an evacuation plan in place are things to consider. There are many organizations with just such information: National Fire Protection Assoc, Underwriters Laboratory, International Association of Fire Chiefs, just to name a few.

I would hope going forward, Carson Power can gain the trust of our community and we base our decision on facts, not fear.

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Anne Stowers is a resident of Vermontville.