A conceptual plan for a battery storage facility in the Town of Plattekill was the topic of discussion during Plattekill’s regular August 7 meeting. The conceptual proposal from the applicant Misson Clear Energy proposed the construction of a battery storage facility at Camp Sunset Road and Rabbit Run Road.

The conceptual plan would see 40 acres of land subdivided from 95 total acres for the construction of a 300 megawatt facility. Supervisor Dean DePew Sr. said to the audience he has a lot of questions about the project following the conceptual presentation at a past planning board meeting. At this time he said no formal application had been filed with the town, it has only been the conceptual plan.

“I think it’s very worthy of looking very close at and making sure that the moves are right,” he said. “Right now I don’t see any kind of application or any kind of how would I say anything that’s in the pipes that’s actually moving forward.”

Resident Linda Dohrenwend questioned the process of companies finding places, remote places, to build their projects. DePew responded that companies are looking for remote locations that are not densely populated and would be met with the least amount of resistance.

“The board has taken a proactive approach on this. When we very first heard about this and even before they came in at that planning board meeting, we formed a committee, we had talked at a town board meeting about a moratorium,” said DePew. “Lithium battery storage is in my view extremely dangerous and when I say that, I say that not hesitantly. I say that wholeheartedly.”

DePew has been in conversation with the town’s attorney about a moratorium and the advice given has been to do due diligence with relation to the project. Once due diligence has been established and information reviewed, the town, if they so choose, must have a legitimate reason to call for the moratorium. DePew said the committee he mentioned has been looking into the legality and safety of the proposal, referring to the battery storage fire that broke out in Warwick.

Referring to the specific site, DePew views in his opinion that the area is environmentally sensitive.

Resident Chris Picca raised concerns about the zoning with the project. “We just say our town does not accept commercial zoning in this area, you need to move away. Why waste your time and our time,” said Picca. “There is no commercial zoning in this area.”

Another question was raised about the committee looking into the proposal which currently is made up of Councilman James Fazio, Building Inspector Edward Diller and Richard Dmtry, who serves on the Planning Board. There was also a question about the committee if any of the landowners were on it which Councilman Fazio said no. “We’re trying to get people who have informational knowledge. We know everybody’s concerned about their land, I’m concerned about their land,” said Fazio.