Clay, N.Y. — Several residents Monday night pushed back against three proposed battery energy storage system sites, saying they were skeptical of the safety of the projects.
The energy systems are giant batteries stored in cabinets the size of shipping containers. The three proposed in Clay would go into vacant, commercial or industrial spots on major town roads or near small business strips.
If the town approves the projects, two private companies would install the battery energy storage systems, nicknamed BESS, on lots along Long Branch and Wetzel roads and on Goguen Drive. Once operational, the storage systems would hold extra power for hundreds of homes during high demand times, everything from after-work activities to extra air conditioning needed during heat waves…