Staten Islanders: Community Pressure Forced Withdrawal Of Latest Travis BESS Planned Site
Staten Islanders: Community Pressure Forced Withdrawal Of Latest Travis BESS Planned Site
Editor’s note: We’ve previously discussed some of the public pressure and protests surrounding this particular project. This Termination on the part of the facility itself represents a possible turning point for these facilities. Below you can see a map of the proposed BESS facilities for the island, with only the blue in active development.
PIROZZOLO ANNOUNCES CANCELLATION OF SWIFTSURE BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE PROJECT IN TRAVIS
After years of concerns from Travis-area residents, Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo (R,C-Staten Island) announced that the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) has notified his office that the proposed Swiftsure Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) planned for Staten Island has been officially terminated.
The proposed Swiftsure facility, slated to be built in Travis, would have been one of the largest battery energy storage systems in the U.S. The developer, Hecate Grid Swiftsure LLC, formally notified the PSC that plans to construct the facility have been canceled and that no part of the project has been built. Battery energy storage systems, while touted as part of New York’s renewable energy strategy, have drawn increasing scrutiny after a series of fires and chemical incidents at similar sites statewide. Staten Island’s dense population and environmental conditions made the Swiftsure site particularly unsuitable for such a project.
Earlier this year, Assemblyman Pirozzolo hosted a community town hall meeting to hear directly from residents about their safety and environmental concerns surrounding the Swiftsure proposal. Additionally, he met with executives from the PSC and stood alongside neighbors at community demonstrations, voicing opposition to the project and calling for greater transparency and local oversight in the state’s approval process.
“This is a tremendous victory for the people of Staten Island. From the moment we were first alerted to this ridiculous project, residents raised legitimate concerns about the risks these large-scale battery sites pose to nearby homes, schools, and critical infrastructure. Their persistence, organization, and advocacy made all the difference.
“Battery storage sites do not belong in residential neighborhoods. Staten Islanders have once again proven, just like we did in Bulls Head in 2023, that when our community stands together, we can protect our families, our homes, our safety, and our quality of life. There is more work to be done and more sites to close; however, each location has its own unique circumstances. I will continue fighting alongside our community to make sure projects like this never see the light of day here again,” said Pirozzolo.
See Here: Submission of the Swiftsure Notice of Project Termination to the PSC.
Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo represents the 63rd Assembly District, which encompasses parts of the North Shore, including Emerson Hill, Sunnyside, Bloomfield, Travis and Chelsea.
A Statement from Borough President Vito Fossella Regarding the Termination of Massive Travis BESS Facility
Staten Island, NY – Borough President Vito Fossella issued the following statement regarding the termination of the Hecate Grid Swiftsure battery energy storage system on Victory Boulevard in Travis:
We are gratified that the lithium-ion battery storage site planned for 3861 Victory Boulevard in the Travis section has been terminated. The facility was slated to be one of the largest BESS facilities in the entire nation.
We have long been opposed to the siting of these dangerous facilities in or near residential areas, and we are currently a lead plaintiff on a lawsuit pending in Supreme Court, Richmond County, against the placement of lithium-ion BESS facilities in or near Staten Island neighborhoods.
Finally, this is a victory for common sense and for the people of Staten Island, especially the residents of Travis. We will continue to fight against these units that threaten the quality of life and the safety of residents across the Island.
A Statement from Borough President Vito Fossella on Trump Administration Intervention in Battery Storage Siting
Staten Island, NY – Borough President Vito Fossella issued the following statement regarding the recent stance the EPA took on BESS siting [in August of this year]:
“The stance that EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and President Trump have taken on battery storage systems is very welcome news.
We are thankful that finally, even the Federal Government agrees with what we have been saying for three years – that volatile, dangerous, and unproven lithium-ion battery storage systems do not belong in populated residential areas, next to people’s homes and gas stations.
The EPA’s new guidelines on installation and fire planning are a welcome change, but, in places like Staten Island where many BESS facilities are being sited, we need further intervention.
Due to the concerns of homeowners across the country, the Federal Government should consider establishing a national standard for siting these facilities relative to residential areas, places of worship, and public spaces.
And, a moratorium on the siting and approval of BESS units should be considered, until safe and reasonable standards are implemented.
In addition to a moratorium, we request that the State of New York work with the EPA on adopting new policies based on these findings and federal guidelines for BESS.
From April of this year:
Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo Applauds Denial of Travis BESS Developer’s Extension Request, Urges Continued Vigilance
Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo (R,C-Staten Island) today announced that following his April 21, 2025 letter to the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) urging the denial of Hecate Grid Swiftsure LLC’s extension request, PSC Secretary Michelle Phillips has formally denied Hecate’s attempt to file key project documents more than 200 days late.
His letter, sent in collaboration with Sen. Andrew Lanza, Assemblyman Mike Reilly (R,C-Staten Island) and Council Member David Carr, all of whom represent the Travis community, called on the PSC to uphold the safety of Staten Island residents, common sense, transparency and accountability by rejecting Hecate Grid’s baseless request for a six-month extension to submit its legally required decommissioning plan and cost estimate for the recklessly proposed 650 megawatt battery energy storage system (BESS) in Travis.
“This decision by the secretary is an important win for the people of Staten Island and for common sense,” said Pirozzolo. “Our community raised serious concerns about this dangerous and unproven facility, and it is simply unacceptable for a developer to miss critical deadlines by over 200 days and expect special treatment. I am grateful the secretary recognized that fact and upheld the rule of law. Now that it has been proven that Hecate Grid is incapable of adhering to the law, it is time to shut this project down entirely.”
The Swiftsure Energy Storage Project would be one of the largest battery energy storage facilities in the U.S., located on about eight acres in the heart of the Travis neighborhood in Staten Island. Construction is estimated at $300 million, with operations projected to begin in winter 2027.
Despite this positive step, Pirozzolo cautioned that Hecate Grid may still seek approval directly from the PSC commissioners, bypassing the secretary’s determination. To address this looming threat, Pirozzolo is actively working to schedule meetings in Albany with PSC leadership to continue advocating for Staten Island residents and ensure no further extensions are granted.
“We cannot afford to let our guard down. This victory shows what our community can achieve when we stand together, but we must remain vigilant until this dangerous project is permanently defeated,” said Pirozzolo.
Additional Background Information
In 2024, Hecate Grid applied for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) from the PSC, granting the company a significantly reduced regulatory burden compared to traditional public utilities. In exchange, Hecate was required to demonstrate timely compliance with critical safeguards, including submission of a comprehensive decommissioning plan and cost estimate to ensure the facility could be responsibly dismantled if needed. Instead, Hecate Grid missed its legal deadline by more than 200 days before seeking an extension, raising serious doubts about the company’s ability to responsibly manage a project of this magnitude.
Community opposition to the project has been unwavering and fierce since its announcement. Residents have consistently raised alarms about the site’s potential environmental hazards, public safety risks and Hecate Grid’s persistent refusal to meaningfully engage with the community. Nearly every representative originally introduced by Hecate Grid has since left the project, leaving Staten Islanders with no clear point of contact and no reliable source of information.
Concerns are further heightened by the risks inherent in large-scale battery energy storage systems. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, BESS facilities present significant dangers, including risks of fire, explosion and toxic chemical exposure. Recent fires and malfunctions at similar facilities in New York and California — including a catastrophic incident in Warwick, NY — have validated community fears about the consequences of inadequate oversight.
Editor’s Note: The letter Pirozzolo, Reilly, Lanza and Carr sent to the PSC, Hecate Grid’s motion to the PSC secretary and the denial letter from the PSC are linked below:
PSC Extension Letter Signed by Local Politicians
Hecate’s extension request to PSC
Banner Image: Asm Pirozzolo’s announcement. Image Credit – Asm. Pirozzolo
Staten Islander News Service Staff Writer
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