‘New York model’ for safety: Strict fire codes to unlock Long Island battery storage

New York State is betting that stricter oversight is the only way to get battery storage built outside of Manhattan. Officials gathered at the Long Island Energy Storage Summit focused on the expansive, densely populated island region east of New York City, seeking to present fire codes enacted in July as a necessarily strict but overall safer environment to operate in.

The rules impose hurdles that will require time and money for those in battery energy storage system (BESS) projects. Developers must fund independent peer reviews of project designs to verify code compliance, alongside mandates for intensive first responder training and, crucially for the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), the presence of a ‘Certificate of Fitness’ holder.

This is a credentialed individual responsible for daily site oversight, and more than a security person or basic appointee. For example, this person must be available 24/7 (by phone) and able to reach the site within two hours, similar to how key personnel are required in other critical industries.

For the wider BESS industry, the ‘New York model’ is moving from the theoretical safety stage to a mandated checklist, and may become more widely implemented should fire concerns continue to trouble projects. Still, the idea is that developers will accept both the additional engineering and operational costs to bypass local permitting freezes, though it may affect how storage projects are implemented in terms of location and sizing.

Local fire marshals, who effectively hold veto power over zoning approvals, indicated the framework provides the technical cover needed to sign off on projects. FDNY officials reported a clean operational record for existing systems under the current regime.

“We’ve had no incidents here… It also highlights the importance of continually strengthening our safeguards – including the Certificate of Fitness holder, who is vital to our training and response tactics,” said Joe Loftus, Chief in Charge of HAZMAT Operations, FDNY.

With local fire marshals serving as almost gatekeepers for community acceptance in New York City, state, and utility representatives didn’t stray far from approval in their messaging.

“On Long Island, reliability, affordability, and resilience are non-negotiable. We are committed to using every tool in our portfolio, including large-scale energy storage, to ensure our grid is fortified against severe weather, managed for peak load, and poised for rising energy demand,” said Carrie Meek Gallagher, CEO of Long Island Power Authority.

“With our newly adopted fire-safety codes, New York has one of the strongest regulatory structures in the country, providing the confidence and clarity communities and developers need as we accelerate storage deployment statewide,” said Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.