Asm. Pirozzolo, Sen. Lanza Introduce Legislation To Prohibit Installation Of Lithium Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) In Residential Neighborhoods, Schools Zones

On Wednesday, February 15^th, 2023, New York State Senator Andrew Lanza (R/C-Mid Island/South Shore) & Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo (R/C-Mid Island/North Shore) announced the introduction of legislation to prohibit the installation of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) within Staten Island.

“In response to the rightful community backlash regarding BESS sites being installed in residential and school zones, Senator Andrew Lanza and I are proud to announce legislation to prohibit the siting or operation of these machines in residential or school zones on Staten Island.” Said Assemblyman Pirozzolo. “While I firmly believe that this type of energy-technology is the future, the implementation has to be practical and responsible. Placing a large, sophisticated machine, filled with potentially explosive lithium-ion batteries, in residential or school communities is unacceptable. The fires caused by these batteries typically cannot be extinguished because of the presence of harsh chemical toxins, increasing the hazard and potential damage.”

“At the end of the day, the terms ‘classroom’ and ‘blast-radius’ should never, ever be in the same sentence. I want to thank Senator Andrew Lanza for carrying this legislation in the State Senate. I look forward to seeing the passage of this bill that puts Staten Island families and communities first.”

Senator Andrew Lanza said “We oppose the Battery Energy Storage Sites being constructed in residential neighborhoods near homes and schools in Staten Island. They are unsightly and potentially dangerous and were begun without community input or concern for Staten Islanders. Furthermore, these schemes will lead to increased electric costs. I join Assemblyman Pirozzolo in opposition and thank him for his leadership on the issue.”

The full text of the legislation can be found here: https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=A03297

Banner Image: Tehachapi Energy Storage Project, Tehachapi, California. Image Credit – Wikipedia

Assemlymember Sam Pirozzolo

Sam Pirozzolo is a native Staten Islander. He is a frequent contributor to the Staten Islander, and is well-known and loved by people on both the Right and Left, in his North Shore community. Sam brings people together, instead of dividing, by speaking common sense and analyzing our island's, and city's, issues, with intelligence and concern for all. Sam Pirozzolo was elected to the New York State Assembly on November 8, 2022. The 63rd Assembly District represents parts of Richmond County. Sam has successfully operated his family’s optical practice for 33 years. He is the past president of Community Education Council 31 where he served for seven years. Some of his most notable accomplishments include the creation of a Gifted and Talented program for middle school students, the recommendation for the NYC Department of Education to hire retired police officers as school resource officers, and the successful fight for the immediate cleanup of toxic PCBs leaking from the light fixtures in school classrooms. As an education advocate, Sam has participated in historic litigation that led to the return of more than $4 billion to New York public schools. He also fought to ensure that co-located charter schools receive the same capital funding as their host public schools. While serving in the Legislature, Sam will work to support law enforcement officers with proper funding, fix broken bail and parole policies, and help small businesses grow and thrive in a stronger, more resilient economy.