More Than 200 Local Leaders and Public Safety Professionals Gathered to Discuss Battery Energy Storage Systems, Public Safety, Municipal Regulations and the Future of Clean Energy in Westchester
Westchester County, in partnership with the Business Council of Westchester’s (BCW) Clean Energy Action Coalition (CEAC) and leading regional energy, municipal and industry organizations, successfully hosted the Westchester Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Conference on Monday, October 19, at the Westchester County Center in White Plains.
The free, half-day conference brought together more than 200 local leaders and public safety professionals, including municipal officials, elected representatives, planning and zoning board members, code enforcement officials, emergency responders and industry experts, for an informative discussion on the evolving role of battery energy storage systems in New York’s energy infrastructure.
Through expert presentations, municipal perspectives and collaborative discussions, the conference provided attendees with valuable guidance on the technical, legal, regulatory and public safety considerations surrounding BESS development, reinforcing the importance of informed decision-making as energy storage technology continues to advance.
Battery energy storage systems play an increasingly important role in strengthening grid reliability, supporting renewable energy integration and advancing New York State’s long-term clean energy goals. As communities navigate the growing deployment of these systems, the conference addressed critical questions surrounding land use, permitting, fire safety, emergency preparedness and community engagement.
Building upon Westchester County’s first informational session on battery energy storage in November 2024, this year’s conference highlighted significant developments in technology, state regulations and the local legal landscape. The program offered municipalities, including those reviewing local regulations or operating under moratoria, practical resources and best practices to support responsible planning and implementation.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins, who delivered opening remarks alongside Noam Bramson, Executive Vice President of the Business Council of Westchester, emphasized the importance of collaboration, education and public safety in navigating the region’s evolving energy needs.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins opened remarks with this thought: “Battery energy storage systems are becoming an important part of our energy infrastructure, but we also recognize the concerns surrounding public safety, emergency preparedness and local regulations. That is why bringing municipal leaders, first responders and industry experts together for conversations like this is so important. I want to thank the Business Council of Westchester and all our partners for helping us provide municipalities with the tools and resources they need to navigate these issues. Our goal is to support responsible energy development while making sure the safety of Westchester residents remains our top priority.”
Noam Bramson, Executive Vice President, Government Affairs & Economic Development at The Business Council of Westchester, followed by stating: “As Westchester advances its clean energy future, it is essential that municipalities, businesses and industry leaders have the information and resources needed to make informed decisions,” said Noam Bramson, Executive Vice President of the Business Council of Westchester. “We thank Westchester County for its leadership and partnership in bringing together key stakeholders to address public safety, regulatory challenges and economic opportunities. Through continued collaboration, we can advance responsible energy solutions that benefit our communities and strengthen our regional economy.”
Throughout the morning, attendees participated in four educational sessions addressing the most pressing issues surrounding battery energy storage systems:
- NYS Policy, Resources and BESS Technology: Ian Latimer, Clean Energy Siting Program Manager at NYSERDA, provided an overview of battery storage technology, its role in New York’s clean energy strategy and available state guidance, model laws and technical assistance resources.
- Public Safety Considerations: Paul Rogers, Founding Principal of Energy Safety Response Group and retired FDNY Lieutenant, and Wayne Melton, Chief of the Orange County HazMat Team, addressed modern battery storage safety standards, monitoring systems, updated New York State Fire Code requirements and emergency response planning.
- Municipal Perspectives: Lindsay Audin, Sustainability Committee Chair for the Village of Croton-on-Hudson; Stuart Rabin, Village Manager of Port Chester; and Richard Slingerland, Village Administrator of Tarrytown, shared municipal perspectives on battery storage regulations, community engagement and local project review.
- The Legal Landscape: Jessica Bacher of Pace University’s Land Use Law Center; Anthony B. Gioffre III and Alec R. Gladd of Cuddy & Feder LLP; and Emma Lagle of the Pace Energy and Climate Center examined municipal authority, zoning, permitting, state review processes and practical approaches to developing local battery storage laws.
The conference concluded with remarks from Ron Kamen, Director of the Business Council of Westchester’s Clean Energy Action Coalition, and Leo Wiegman, Director of Energy Systems at Sustainable Westchester, highlighting key takeaways and opportunities for continued municipal collaboration.
“The success of this conference underscored the growing importance of education, collaboration and thoughtful planning as battery energy storage becomes an increasingly vital component of our energy infrastructure,” said Ron Kamen, Director of the Business Council of Westchester’s Clean Energy Action Coalition. “Through the Clean Energy Action Coalition, we remain committed to connecting municipalities and businesses with the knowledge, resources and partnerships needed to advance safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable energy solutions throughout Westchester.”
A Collaborative Regional Effort
The success of the Westchester BESS Conference reflected the collective efforts of a broad coalition of regional partners committed to advancing energy education, municipal preparedness and responsible clean energy development.
The conference was presented through a collaborative partnership among Westchester County, the Business Council of Westchester’s Clean Energy Action Coalition, Sustainable Westchester, the Building & Realty Institute of the Hudson Valley, Cuddy & Feder LLP, the Land Use Law Center at Pace University’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law, the New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology Consortium (NY-BEST), the New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund (NYLCVEF), the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), and the Pace Energy and Climate Center at Pace University’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law.
Each organization contributed to the conference’s shared mission of providing municipalities and public safety professionals with access to expert knowledge, practical guidance and valuable resources. Their collaboration helped foster productive conversations across government, business, public safety, legal and energy sectors, reinforcing the importance of regional partnerships in addressing emerging energy challenges.
Continuing the Conversation: Clean Energy Resources for Westchester
While the conference marked an important milestone in regional clean energy education, its impact extended beyond the day’s discussions. The knowledge shared and partnerships strengthened provided a foundation for continued collaboration among municipalities, industry leaders and public safety professionals.
To support these ongoing efforts, the Business Council of Westchester’s Clean Energy Action Coalition encourages municipal officials, businesses and community stakeholders to explore its CEAC Dashboard, an online resource designed to provide information about the coalition and its clean energy initiatives.
Explore the CEAC Dashboard:
https://starrysidekick.github.io/CEAC-Dashboard/preview/index.html#about
Through continued education, advocacy and regional partnerships, the BCW and its Clean Energy Action Coalition remain committed to supporting Westchester’s transition toward a cleaner, more affordable and reliable energy future while prioritizing public safety, economic development and community needs.
For additional information about the Business Council of Westchester’s Clean Energy Action Coalition, contact CEAC@thebcw.org.