The rapid expansion of large lithium-ion battery storage facilities across the United States has sparked significant local opposition, driven by safety concerns following incidents like the fire at a facility in California earlier this year. Communities fear that these energy storage systems, which are increasingly linked to electrical grids to store excess power, could pose fire hazards. As a result, numerous localities are adopting moratoriums on new projects.
In July, Michael McGinty, the mayor of Island Park, New York, articulated the growing sentiment among residents, stating, “We’re not guinea pigs for anybody… we are not going to experiment, we’re not going to take risk.” This moratorium follows a proposal for a storage system near the village line. The concern is echoed in various other regions, with at least a few dozen localities across the U.S. enacting similar measures.
Long Island has emerged as a focal point for activism against battery storage projects, attracting attention from political figures, including Lee Zeldin, the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator. In August, Zeldin criticized the state for hastily approving sites to meet what he termed “delusional” green energy targets, a remark state officials dispute.
Battery energy storage systems, known as BESS, are considered vital for enhancing grid reliability, especially as renewable energy sources such as wind and solar become more prevalent. These systems absorb low-cost power during off-peak times and release it during high-demand periods. Despite their benefits in reducing blackouts, concerns about thermal runaway—a situation where uncontrolled heating can lead to fires—remain prevalent among community members.
In the second quarter of 2025, developers added 4,908 megawatts of battery storage capacity, with states like Arizona, California, and Texas accounting for approximately three-quarters of this increase, according to a report from the American Clean Power Association. This capacity could power nearly 1.7 million households. Notably, New York has set an ambitious goal to add 6,000 megawatts of energy storage by 2030, half of which will come from large-scale systems.
While proponents argue that modern battery systems are significantly safer than in the past, the fear of incidents remains a powerful motivator for local opposition. A fire at a battery storage facility in Moss Landing, California, in January, which caused the evacuation of around 1,500 people, has only heightened anxiety.
Experts like Ofodike Ezekoye, a combustion expert at The University of Texas at Austin, emphasize that while failures in battery systems are relatively rare, no engineered system is entirely without risk. “This is a relatively immature technology that is maturing quickly,” Ezekoye noted, highlighting the ongoing efforts to enhance safety measures.
In New York, regulations have been implemented to ensure that battery storage facilities meet rigorous fire safety standards. Proponents argue that designs must prevent the spread of fire, addressing community concerns. Nonetheless, residents near proposed sites remain skeptical. In Washington state, the city of Maple Valley instituted a six-month moratorium in July to safeguard the community until more information is available. City manager Laura Philpot stated the move was a precautionary measure.
As local opposition grows, voters in Halstead, Kansas, will decide on Election Day whether to prohibit larger battery storage systems within city limits, according to Mayor Dennis Travis. He believes that with proper design, the community could one day accommodate a safe storage system, while urging that fears surrounding the California incident are unfounded.
The trend of increasing moratoriums mirrors the rapid deployment of battery storage systems, with a notable rise beginning in 2023 and 2024, particularly in New York. Community member Winnie Sokolowski has raised alarms over a proposed 250-megawatt lithium-ion storage system in the Town of Ulster, emphasizing its proximity to schools and homes. “They’re banking on nothing happening, but I don’t think you can place it where they’re proposing and assume nothing’s going to happen,” she argued.
In response to local concerns, the developer, Terra-Gen, asserts that its system will be designed to prevent fire spread, claiming it poses “no credible, scientific-based threat to neighbors, the public, or the environment.” Furthermore, Doreen Harris, president of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, expressed confidence in the state’s safety regulations, highlighting that increased use of battery storage systems will ultimately “strengthen and modernize our grid.”
As the debate continues, the balance between advancing renewable energy solutions and addressing community safety concerns remains a critical issue in the evolving landscape of energy storage in the United States.