VALHALLA, NY (April 9, 2025) — County Executive Ken Jenkins signed a new law on Wednesday aimed at enhancing the oversight and safety of non-residential Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in Westchester County. The legislation, proposed by Jenkins in January and unanimously passed by the County Board of Legislators on March 24, establishes clear notification requirements for municipalities regarding new installations or modifications to existing systems.
The signing took place at the Department of Emergency Services Support Services building on the Grasslands campus in Valhalla. Jenkins emphasized the law’s purpose, stating, “This new law balances the expansion of renewable energy infrastructure with the highest safety and planning standards. When BESS facilities are responsibly integrated into our communities, we safeguard our residents and first responders.”
The legislation aims to prevent tragedies by enhancing safety for residents and first responders, improve communication between the county and its municipalities, ensure up-to-date records of BESS installations or modifications, and better coordinate planning and safety efforts. It applies to all new and existing non-residential BESS facilities permitted, installed, or modified within Westchester County, including modifications that increase a system’s designed discharge duration or power rating.
Westchester County Emergency Services Commissioner Susan Spear praised the measure, saying, “It is crucial that firefighters and first responders know what is on-site before they arrive at a fire or hazmat scene, both for their own safety and for the safety of the surrounding public. This legislation will ensure that our 911 dispatchers have that information to provide to first responders, and that local fire departments have the information they need to develop appropriate emergency plans for these facilities.”
Under the new law, municipalities must notify the County Emergency Services Commissioner within 30 days of learning about existing BESS or approving plans for new installations or modifications. Notifications must include the system’s address, zoning district designation, size, capacity, emergency contact information for the facility owner and operator, and relevant operational dates.
Jenkins clarified the law’s scope, noting, “The decisions about where or whether Battery Energy Storage System facilities will be established is not the responsibility of the county. It’s the responsibility of each local municipality. This legislation does not usurp that responsibility at the local level. What this legislation does do, however, is ensure that we’re all on the same page.”
Board of Legislators Chairman Vedat Gashi highlighted the bipartisan support, stating, “There is overwhelming support among the board for this bill. This is a recognition of the fact that this technology poses a unique threat. Our first step to addressing that is knowing where they are, having an inventory, and allowing [first responders] to be properly prepared.”
The law, officially designated Local Law 2025-22, was enacted with Jenkins’ signature, supported by a 17-0 vote from the legislators. Deputy County Executive Richard Wishnie underscored its urgency, saying, “The reaction to these battery storage facilities is about life and death safety, not only of the public but most importantly to the people that respond at the time of an emergency.”
BESS technology uses battery arrays to store energy, often from renewable sources like wind and solar, for release during peak demand or outages. The legislation ensures that Westchester County’s Department of Emergency Services can integrate facility-specific data into its 911 dispatch system, equipping responders with critical information before incidents occur.
