Assemblyman Michael Tannousis participated in a bipartisan press conference on May 20, 2025, advocating for enhanced safety regulations for battery storage facilities across New York State. These facilities are expanding rapidly and pose increased risks to nearby communities. The proposed regulations would mandate a minimum distance of 1,000 feet between these storage sites and homes, farms, and schools to mitigate potential fire hazards or other dangers.
The proposal also emphasizes the importance of community involvement by allowing local input before project approval. This measure aims to ensure transparency and incorporate local perspectives in decision-making processes.
Tannousis stated, “New York’s push toward clean energy should not come at the expense of our neighbors’ health and safety.” He added that establishing a buffer zone around battery storage sites and involving residents in discussions could protect schools and neighborhoods from the impacts of energy development projects. “Our homes and communities shouldn’t be the testing grounds for reckless energy development,” he concluded.
