Battery storage moratorium approved in Royalton

Thomas Tedesco, Lockport Union-Sun & Journal, N.Y.
·2 min read

Mar. 12—MIDDLEPORT — The Royalton town board has approved a moratorium on the development of renewable energy systems that utilize battery storage.

The board unanimously agreed to a six-month halt to town processing of any applications for permits related to solar and/or wind energy projects that have battery energy storage systems. The moratorium buys the board time to more clearly spell out the town's policy on battery storage.

"We just wanted more time so everyone can delve into this, get more familiar with what actually happens (with battery storage systems) and how they're placed so we can make an intelligent decision," town supervisor Jeffrey Brown said.

None of the approximately dozen residents in attendance at the Monday night town meeting spoke during the public hearing that preceded the board's vote.

Planning board chair Justine Seefeldt said the town saw the need to implement additional policies after Boston-based developer Bluewave proposed a five megawatt battery storage facility on Rochester Road. The facility would hold 11 batteries that store excess energy and feed it into the grid as needed.

Since currently there are no sites in the town utilizing battery storage systems, town leaders believed there wasn't a need to specifically include a policy when the town board adopted a solar siting law. However, the leaders think the topic needs to be addressed now that there are potential projects on the horizon in Royalton and in neighboring towns.

Brown said he and the other town board members think there is still a lot of "unknown" when it comes to hosting battery storage systems.

"Everyone can dive into it as much as they want, but (the planning board) is going to concentrate on getting us as much information as they can so they have a better understanding and pass that information on to us," he said.

While Brown said it is "too soon to say" whether an extension of the moratorium will be needed, he's hopeful the planning board will be able to draft a local law within six months.

The planning board will hold a special meeting at the town hall to work on the draft of the battery storage law at 6 p.m. March 18.