A 169-watt megawatt energy storage project has been in talks for quite some time now for the Town of Montgomery and soon will face the planning board.

Key Capture Energy (KCE) is a group founded in 2016 that creates large-scale renewable energy projects. They are hoping to seek approval to build battery storage units across 8.03 acres of space between Stone Castle and Browns Road, just north of 17K. The project’s application states a direct goal for the project: “Key Capture Energy proposes to develop a utility scale battery storage facility to respond to intermittent grid fluctuations and to enhance power grid reliability by providing ancillary services to the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO).”

Last week, KCE met with the Town of Montgomery Zoning Board (ZBA) who opened a public hearing for the project. According to Zoning Board Secretary Suzanne Hadden, members of the audience still showed opposition. There were no decisions made by the ZBA.

On December 12, the Town of Montgomery planning board approved a letter to be sent to the ZBA with recommendations for area variances. The specific item the planning board was asked to review was pole height, as some poles in the project are planned to be higher than what we allow. The planning board sent their recommendations in a letter to the ZBA. Planning board Chairman Fred Reichle did not respond with comment on specific recommendations given.

“The ZBA will keep the hearing open and wait for the planning board to process the application,” said Hadden in an email.

Hadden noted she was unsure when KCE will be on an agenda with the planning board. However in the meantime, the planning board has an ongoing application to review for KCE.