Common Council Okays Request for Six-Month Pause on Battery Energy Storage Systems

The City of Dunkirk is imposing a temporary moratorium on approval of battery energy storage systems. On Tuesday, the Common Council unanimously approved a walk-in resolution for the six-month pause, which was requested by the city's Planning Board after it tabled a site plan review for Gridi Development's proposed BESS on Brigham Road near School 5. Second Ward Councilman Frank Torain says the intent of the moratorium is to make sure the city has its Zoning Code updated...

Frank Torain: need to get our ducks in a row

First Ward Councilwoman Natalie Luczkowiak, who introduced the measure, says there are a couple of exemptions...

Natalie Luczkowiak: previously approved systems, smaller residential systems

City lawmakers have previously approved a 250-megawatt BESS on Brigham Road near the Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks, which would make it exempt from that pause.

Photo by Greg Larson; audio from Dunkirk Access