FORESTBURGH – During the most recent Town of Forestburgh town board meeting, the board approved Local Law 1 of 2026, which established regulations governing the siting, construction, operation, safety and decommissioning of battery energy storage systems within the town.

Board members emphasized that the law is regulatory in nature and does not approve or authorize any specific battery storage project.

Battery energy storage systems are being proposed across New York State as utility companies look for ways to store electricity and release it during peak demand periods.

Town Board Supervisor Dan Hogue noted that Forestburgh previously had no regulations addressing such technology and by creating the local law it will help guide them in future applications.

As part of the approval process, the board conducted a review under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). They completed a short environmental assessment form and evaluated potential impacts related to land use, community, traffic, energy use, water resources and historical and natural resources as well as public health and safety.

Throughout the review, Hogue stressed that the action was a “paper action”, meaning it involved only the adoption of the regulations and not the construction of a facility.

Based on the review, the board issued a negative declaration, determining that adoption of the law would not result in any adverse environmental impacts. However, approving the negative declaration did not change the zoning classifications, increase development density, or commit the town to any future course of action.

Any future proposals for a battery energy storage system would require separate discretionary approvals and a project specific environmental review.

Following the roll call vote, the board unanimously adopted the local law and directed the town clerk to file it with the New York State Secretary of State. The law takes effect immediately upon filing.