Residents Rally Against Battery Storage Plans in Queens
Tensions are boiling over in Queens, where local residents and lawmakers gathered for a rally on Thursday to voice their anger over plans for a lithium-ion battery storage site near a school.
“This is truly unacceptable,” said Paul Pogorzelski, the rally organizer, as around 40 demonstrators stood along the street by a vacant lot in Middle Village designated for a Nine Dot Energy battery warehouse.
“While the permits were being handled and plans drawn up, our community was completely in the dark. There was no public forum, no notifications—just silence from the company and everyone involved. That’s not representation,” he continued, expressing concerns that the site could lead to higher prices in the area due to the potential profits from the batteries.
Local residents have demanded that the facility, planned for 64-30 69th Place—adjacent to a daycare, preschool, and a veterinary clinic, and just across from PS 128—be relocated to a safer spot.
Protesters urged both local officials and Nine Dot to enhance transparency around the project, with Queens borough councilman Phil Wong stating, “We’re here to deliver a straightforward message: We don’t want a lithium-ion battery factory here.”
The proposed battery storage facility is intended to store energy from renewable sources like solar and wind, supporting New York’s ambitious climate goals outlined in a contentious law passed in 2019 during Andrew Cuomo’s administration.
This plan aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030, reach 100% zero-emission electricity by 2040, and generate massive amounts of renewable energy over the next few years.
Wong, reflecting on the local government’s lack of obligation to provide project details, expressed frustration, highlighting that with 74 existing battery storage facilities spread across the city, proximity to residential areas, especially nurseries, raises serious safety concerns.
As for Nine Dot Energy, a spokesperson defended their actions, noting, “New York City has stringent energy storage permitting regulations. Any suggestion that we’re building without proper approvals is simply inaccurate.” They pledged to work with community leaders to address concerns and ensure the facility serves the needs of Middle Village.
