Second moratorium confirmed on lithium-ion battery storage facility in Yonkers
The proposed facility would be located at 1100 Saw Mill River Road, neighboring a residential area.
More Stories
In a meeting Monday, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano confirmed the city will be renewing its lithium-ion battery storage facilities moratorium for another six months to allow the city time to investigate effects and create a new local ordinance regarding the facilities.
The proposed facility would be located at 1100 Saw Mill River Road, neighboring a residential area.
Many residents expressed concerns about the facilities that ranged from the health effects to environmental concerns.
Many also questioned fire safety - if the facility does become compromised.
"When they do get on fire, our firefighters can't put it out. These fires can last for days, weeks...we don't know about the toxic emissions from these fires," said Tim Hodges, a concerned resident who has lived in Yonkers the past 60 years.
Mayor Spano was adamant about his disagreement with the facilities proposal, as well as local council members.
He says the moratoriums will allow for the city to research these effects and to allow for the city to create a new local ordinance regarding the facilities.
City officials said said in April that the original battery facility was proposed by Saw Mill River Energy Storage, which has the same address as New Leaf Energy.
