Protect our homes: Demand responsible BESS siting
The Issue
Addisleigh Park is a historic residential community in Southeast Queens where families deserve to feel safe in their homes. Today, that safety is being challenged by a proposed lithium-ion Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at 179-21 Linden Boulevard, immediately beside residential properties and across from the St. Albans VA Medical Center.
We recognize that battery storage plays an important role in New York’s transition to clean energy. However, facilities of this size should be responsibly located. Lithium-ion battery systems can experience fires, thermal runaway and other failures, making their placement extremely close to homes a serious concern for residents.
For the Lawrence family, this issue could not be more personal. Their home sits approximately 10 feet from the proposed facility. In testimony before the New York City Council, Jasmin Lawrence stated that a subsidiary of NineDot Energy is suing her and her husband in Queens County Supreme Court while seeking access to their property in connection with the project. The company is also requesting that the family pay its legal fees. A family should not have to face the financial and emotional burden of defending its property simply because it objects to an industrial energy facility being built only feet from its home.
This is bigger than one property. It raises an important question for communities throughout New York City: How close is too close? Clean-energy development should not force individual families to carry a disproportionate share of the risk or burden.
We urge NineDot Energy, New York City and New York State officials, agencies, and permitting authorities to reconsider this location and pursue appropriate alternatives away from residential homes. We also call for meaningful community involvement, transparent safety review, and reasonable setback requirements for future BESS facilities.
We support clean energy. We also believe clean energy and community safety must go hand in hand.
Please sign this petition and stand with the Lawrence family, the residents of Addisleigh Park, and communities across New York City asking for responsible BESS siting.
Learn more about how BESS facilities can impact a community:
https://youtu.be/E8wN7Aqh4aQ?is=4DuCHIXj-UmsHERv
https://notobatteryfarm.my.canva.site/
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The Issue
Addisleigh Park is a historic residential community in Southeast Queens where families deserve to feel safe in their homes. Today, that safety is being challenged by a proposed lithium-ion Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at 179-21 Linden Boulevard, immediately beside residential properties and across from the St. Albans VA Medical Center.
We recognize that battery storage plays an important role in New York’s transition to clean energy. However, facilities of this size should be responsibly located. Lithium-ion battery systems can experience fires, thermal runaway and other failures, making their placement extremely close to homes a serious concern for residents.
For the Lawrence family, this issue could not be more personal. Their home sits approximately 10 feet from the proposed facility. In testimony before the New York City Council, Jasmin Lawrence stated that a subsidiary of NineDot Energy is suing her and her husband in Queens County Supreme Court while seeking access to their property in connection with the project. The company is also requesting that the family pay its legal fees. A family should not have to face the financial and emotional burden of defending its property simply because it objects to an industrial energy facility being built only feet from its home.
This is bigger than one property. It raises an important question for communities throughout New York City: How close is too close? Clean-energy development should not force individual families to carry a disproportionate share of the risk or burden.
We urge NineDot Energy, New York City and New York State officials, agencies, and permitting authorities to reconsider this location and pursue appropriate alternatives away from residential homes. We also call for meaningful community involvement, transparent safety review, and reasonable setback requirements for future BESS facilities.
We support clean energy. We also believe clean energy and community safety must go hand in hand.
Please sign this petition and stand with the Lawrence family, the residents of Addisleigh Park, and communities across New York City asking for responsible BESS siting.
Learn more about how BESS facilities can impact a community:
https://youtu.be/E8wN7Aqh4aQ?is=4DuCHIXj-UmsHERv
https://notobatteryfarm.my.canva.site/
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on August 24, 2026