Dunkirk Common Council Passes Revised BESS Moratorium

After a previous six-month moratorium on battery energy storage systems in the City of Dunkirk was vetoed, city lawmakers have passed an updated BESS moratorium. Common Council members this week approved a local law after four residents spoke about it during a public hearing. First Ward Councilwoman Natalie Luczkowiak says this pause will allow the city to align itself with New York State's BESS Model Law...

Natalie Luczkowiak: following BESS Model Law

Second Ward Councilman Frank Torain says the local law will not affect the GCI Lighthouse project in the 600 block of Brigham Road. He adds that the city is currently updating its zoning laws...

Frank Torain: updating its zoning laws

There were two versions of a local law that had been circulated -- one on behalf of the city's administration and one by the Common Council. Earlier this month, Mayor Kate Wdowiasz had concerns about some of the language in the law that council members had introduced. However, Corporation Counsel Elliot Raimondo told lawmakers that the updated law by the council was okay to be considered. Wdowiasz vetoed the previous moratorium because, according to her, lawmakers didn't go through the proper channels.

Photo by Greg Larson