Company Proposing Battery Energy Storage System Near School 5 in Dunkirk

A New York City-based company is proposing to develop a five-megawatt battery energy storage system (BESS) near School 5 in Dunkirk's Second Ward. Members of the Dunkirk Common Council attended a public hearing Wednesday on the proposed project by Gridi Development. Two council members spoke about it on WDOE's "Viewpoint" program on Thursday. Second Ward Councilman Frank Torain mentioned concerns that were brought up by residents, as well as a couple of businesses near the school...

Frank Torain: concerns in the event of an accident

Torain says the city could gain over $100,000 a year in tax revenue if that BESS is approved. Meanwhile, First Ward Councilwoman Natalie Luczkowiak was very brief, but firm, in her remarks about the BESS...

Natalie Luczkowiak: doesn't have my stamp of approval

This is the second BESS in the city awaiting final approval. A 250-megawatt BESS is being proposed by a separate company -- GCI Lighthouse -- at an address on Brigham Road near the Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks.

Click here to listen to the entire "Viewpoint" interview featuring Common Council members Natalie Luczkowiak and Frank Torain.

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