BESS (Battery Energy Storage) Correspondence Wave
Town of Riverhead
Summary
A 5-megawatt battery storage facility is proposed near a residential neighborhood. Council members are worried about fire safety, air quality, and the access road cutting through a wetland buffer, and want revisions before any approval.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 6
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Jul 7, 2026.
Impact analysis
One-time fee per project, sized at 1% of the engineered decommissioning cost.
The applicant and the grid get new clean energy storage capacity.
Nearby residents — many seniors — could face fire and air quality risk if the facility is built too close to homes.
Mentions & discussions (7)
Town Board - Jul 7, 2026
The town clerk reported being 'inundated' with letters on battery energy storage systems from businesses, environmental groups and building trades — signaling a coming local fight.
Town Board - May 20, 2026
New fees — 1% of each project's decommissioning fund — would pay for fire marshal hazmat equipment and training for solar and battery storage sites. Residents noted it doesn't apply retroactively to the ~600 acres already approved in Calverton.
Planning Board - May 7, 2026
A four-unit battery storage system at the Hampton Jitney bus terminal in Calverton got final approval. Safety conditions include a fire marshal-approved emergency response plan and a decommissioning fund with 1% going to a fire marshal hazard mitigation fund.
Planning Board - Apr 16, 2026
A 5 MW Tesla battery storage facility is proposed at 1281 Pulaski Street, close to a park, town offices and homes. The board grilled the applicant on fire safety, hazmat response and water supply protection before any approval.
Planning Board - Mar 19, 2026
The 5 MW battery energy storage project at 1281 Pulaski Street was tabled without discussion this meeting.
Riverhead Casts Wary Eye on Pulaski Street Battery Storage
Riverhead Casts Wary Eye on Pulaski Street Battery Storage East End Beacon
Town Board Work Session - Mar 12, 2026
A 5-megawatt battery storage facility is proposed near a residential neighborhood. Council members are worried about fire safety, air quality, and the access road cutting through a wetland buffer, and want revisions before any approval.
Related development
Hampton Jitney BESS Site Plan
Mostly on-site use for bus electrification with limited grid export; fire-safety training for Riverhead and mutual aid departments was pledged.
JPD Calverton — Site Plan
More warehouse space and truck traffic potential along Middle Country Road in Calverton; the chair also wants the old water tank and silos removed for safety.
Pulaski Street Storage
If approved, it adds battery storage near Town Hall West — but council members are pushing for more distance from the neighboring homes and wetlands.
We'll email you when it's on an upcoming agenda and when it's voted on, at most once a day.
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