The Town of Mount Pleasant is prioritizing public health and safety by enacting a complete ban on all new Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
The Town Board unanimously adopted the ban on September 9, following a moratorium and considerable public and official deliberation. Town officials determined that BESS facilities pose disproportionate risks to the public health, safety, and welfare of residents.
“The decision to ban Battery Energy Storage Systems was not taken lightly,” said Supervisor Carl Fulgenzi. “There was considerable public input throughout this process, and we studied BESS mishaps that have occurred nationwide. When faced with the unique public safety challenges these systems present—challenges that our emergency responders are not equipped to manage—we chose to take this protective measure.”
Official warnings regarding the dangers posed by lithium-ion battery fires influenced the decision to move from a temporary moratorium to a permanent ban. The Town Board specifically referenced a July 2025 United States Environmental Protection Agency (“US EPA”) “Safety Guidance” brochure for the potential siting of BESS facilities, which acknowledged the “very real dangers presented by BESS facilities.”
A primary concern is the potential for a fire at a BESS facility to release toxins. This could affect air and water quality at neighboring properties, as well as sensitive environmental and institutional areas within the Town, including the Saw Mill River, adjacent wetlands, local schools, and the Westchester Medical Center complex.
Further underscoring the safety concerns were recent comments by U.S. EPA administrator Lee Zeldin, who expressed a negative opinion about the placement of BESSs, particularly in the New York metro area. Zeldin highlighted a critical resource gap, noting that local volunteer fire departments often lack the specialized training and resources necessary to effectively respond to complex lithium battery fires.
These types of fires are difficult to extinguish, capable of burning for weeks and releasing chemicals like hydrogen fluoride—a significant health hazard.
The new legislation takes immediate effect, blocking the siting and construction of new BESS facilities within the town limits.
