SAY No to BESS on Hess

We the residents of Allegany County, as well as  defenders of the Allegany Wilds, demand that no zoning variances, site plan approvals, or special use permits be granted for the proposed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility on Hess Road until a comprehensive, independent Environmental Impact Study (EIS) and a First Responder Safety Audit are completed and made fully public.

We oppose the building of the BESS facility in our county, especially without information on the impacts to our environment.  

Our community is celebrated for its pristine forests, private water wells, active trout streams, and vibrant wildlife—including documented local bald eagle nesting zones. Placing a massive, industrial-scale lithium-ion battery installation in the heart of this sensitive rural ecosystem poses severe risks that have not been properly evaluated. The Town of Angelica currently lacks a permanent planning board, and our previous 180-day moratorium has expired. If our community stays silent, New York State and private developers can override our local voice, leaving us to deal with the long-term consequences.

🚫 Why This Project Cannot Proceed Without Deep Research:

Threat to Our Groundwater & Streams: Lithium-ion battery failures can lead to intense "thermal runaway" fires that require millions of gallons of water to cool. The resulting runoff is heavily contaminated with toxic chemicals and heavy metals. We need absolute hydrogeological proof that an incident on Hess Road will not poison our residential water wells, agricultural land, or local watersheds.

Irreparable Damage to the Allegany Wilds: Industrial expansion into our contiguous forests will permanently fragment critical wildlife habitats and disrupt protected eagle nests. This industrial footprint directly threatens the eco-tourism, hunting, fishing, and quiet rural character that defines Angelica’s identity and supports our local economy.

Unprepared Emergency Infrastructure: Chemical battery fires require highly specialized containment equipment, vast water supplies, and advanced hazardous materials training. Our local volunteer fire departments and emergency responders must be publicly audited to prove they have the exact resources and frameworks needed to handle a catastrophic failure without putting our community in harm's way. We are not standing against clean energy technology; we are standing up for the basic rights of a community to protect its environment, its safety, and its future.

👋 How You Can Take Action:

Sign this petition to show our local and state officials that an informed community will not be ignored.

Share this link with your neighbors, outdoor enthusiast groups, and local businesses.

Attend the Town Board Meeting on Monday, June 8, 2026, at 7:00 PM at the Angelica Grange Building (59 Park Circle) to make your voice heard in person. This is open to the public and you will be able to voice your opinion 

An informed community has a stronger voice than a silent one. Together, we can protect what makes Angelica special and Allegheny County all about Wildlife.

Sign today!

I dont want BESS to come but if we have no choice we at least get the right to have safety and our well-being be guaranteed.