Town of Otisco - Adoption of Local Law to Regulate Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)

Negative Declaration

Onondaga County - The Town of Otisco Town Board, as lead agency, has determined that the proposed Adoption of Local Law to Regulate Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) will not have a significant adverse environmental impact. The action involves the adoption of a Local Law by the Town Board of the Town of Otisco that establishes regulations for the siting, construction, operation, and decommissioning of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) within the Town. The Local Law is standalone (i.e., not part of a zoning code) and applies to Small-Scale, Medium-Scale, and Large-Scale BESS installations. It establishes Town-wide permitting procedures and standards related to safety, setbacks, screening, fire prevention, and decommissioning. No specific site is under review as part of this legislative action. A. Small-Scale BESS: A BESS with a capacity of storing electrical energy at one time of less than or equal to 600 kWh and primarily intended to serve an individual residence or business. B. Medium-Scale BESS: A BESS with a capacity of storing electrical energy at one time of greater than 600 kWh and less than 5,000 kWh. C. Large-Scale BESS: A BESS with a capacity of storing electrical energy at one time of 5,000 kWh or greater, designed primarily for integration with the electrical grid. The project is located at 1924 Barker Street in the Town of Tully, New York.