Energy

Fears of Massive Battery Fires Spark Local Opposition to Energy Storage Projects

Despite assurances of safety from proponents, some places in New York are enacting moratoriums on these systems.

Associated Press

Associated Press

— 4 min read
Fears of Massive Battery Fires Spark Local Opposition to Energy Storage Projects
Photo of Chris Linsmayer, Key Capture Energy Public Affairs Manager, talking about the company's large lithium battery energy storage system on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025 in Blasdell, N.Y., by Ted Shaffrey/AP

BLASDELL, N.Y., Oct. 5, 2025 (AP) – More and more, big arrays of lithium-ion batteries are being hooked up to electrical grids around the U.S. to store power that can be discharged in times of high demand.

But as more energy storage is added, residents in some places are pushing back due to fears that the systems will go up in flames, as a massive facility in California did earlier this year.

Proponents maintain that state-of-the-art battery energy storage systems are safe, but more localities are enacting moratoriums.

Post tagged in
Energy Michael McGinty EPA Lee Zeldin China Battery American Clean Power Association Lithium California Ofodike Ezekoye University of Texas at Austin Laura Philpot Maple Valley WA Halstead KS Dennis Travis Ulster NY Terra-Gen New York State Energy Research and Development Authority Doreen Harris AP

Member discussion

Read more

Popular Tags

State, Local Chambers Push FCC to Approve $34.5B Charter-Cox Merger FCC Virginia’s Next Governor an Advocate for Better Broadband Broadband's Impact California BEAD Plan Delayed Again BEAD New Rules for Tribal Broadband Program Planned for Spring 2026, NTIA Says NTIA Oklahoma Broadband Office Reopens Federal Program to Finish ARPA Buildout Infrastructure Experts Urge Data Oversight ‘Down to Jitter and Latency’ in Broadband Reporting Broadband Mapping and Data