NY City considers six‑month ban on Battery Energy Storage Systems
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NEW YORK — January 13, 2026
As officials respond to mounting fire‑safety concerns and pressure from residents and firefighters, New York City lawmakers are weighing a temporary six‑month moratorium on new battery energy storage systems (BESS)
This, as fire‑safety concerns continue to rise across the state, according to reporting from the Tribune Content Agency and Fire Engineering.
City officials say the moratorium would give regulators time to reassess:
- Fire‑safety risks associated with lithium‑ion thermal runaway
- Siting rules for BESS facilities near homes, schools, and businesses
- FDNY response protocols for large‑scale battery fires
- Environmental impacts of energy‑storage expansion
The FDNY has repeatedly warned that lithium‑ion fires burn hotter, spread faster, and can reignite hours or days later. In 2025, the department responded to more than 300 battery‑related fires citywide, a number that has increased annually.
Energy‑storage developers argue that a moratorium could slow New York’s progress toward its legally mandated climate goals, which require rapid expansion of renewable‑energy infrastructure. Companies say modern BESS systems include multiple layers of fire suppression, ventilation, and remote‑monitoring technology.
Photo Credit: Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Further Reading:
https://www.fireengineering.com/fire-safety/fears-of-massive-battery-fires-spar…
https://longisland.news12.com/protesters-battling-back-over-plans-for-a-battery…?