Solar energy company modifies proposal for Town of Elmira solar project. What's changed.

A solar energy company that hopes to build a controversial solar power and battery storage project in the Town of Elmira is modifying its proposal in an effort to gain town approval.

Carson Power, a New York City-based renewable energy company, asked the Town of Elmira Planning Board to approve its proposal to build a 4.6-megawatt solar energy and lithium-ion battery storage project on 22 acres of vacant land at 200 West Hill Road.

As the planning board has gone through the review process, area residents have voiced numerous concerns about the safety and potential environmental impact of the project, especially regarding the battery storage proposal, and what might happen in the event of a fire or other emergency situation.

As a result, Carson Power decided to temporarily remove the battery energy storage (BESS) component from the project plans.

“Although our project fully complies with the Town of Elmira’s zoning provisions, we have decided to remove the battery storage component until the Planning Board and Town Board revisit and re-adopt its local battery storage law,” Carson Power Senior Project Developer Nic Cunha wrote in a letter to town officials.

“We still stand behind the safety and value of BESS technology and are tremendously appreciative to the board for the opportunity to demonstrate and educate the Town Board, Planning Board, and general public on the safety and value solar and storage projects can provide to the NYSEG grid and the community of Elmira,” Cunha wrote.

The proposed project site is not far from the Elmira Correctional Facility, Arnot Ogden Medical Center, Elmira Water Board reservoir and Ernie Davis Academy, and some residents are concerned about the possible spread of toxic fumes if there is a battery fire.

The company said the solar project will supply locally sourced, reliable, clean energy to the Elmira distribution grid, and will also provide economic benefits to the town.

The town planning board held a public informational meeting March 10 and heard from representatives from Carson Power and from the Energy Storage Response Group on the issue, but didn’t render a decision on approval of the project at that time.

The planning board is scheduled to meet again April 7, and while the Carson Power project will be discussed, Town Supervisor Ann Gerould doesn’t know if they will vote on the modified proposal at that meeting.

Local How sweet it is: Maple syrup season is here in New York, Pa. How weather impacts sap flows

Leaving the battery storage aspect out of the project for now does reduce the positive impact, Gerould believes, in that the access to the energy harnessed is somewhat limited.

While there was good turnout and good information presented at the March 10 meeting, Gerould said she has not received much feedback since then from people who oppose the Carson project.

But she added she is hearing from an increasing number of people who are in favor.

“I think it is important for everyone to realize that though the citizens who are not in favor are organized, enthusiastic, and outspoken, they do not speak for everyone,” Gerould said. “There are people who have done their own research and believe projects like these in our area are long overdue.”

Follow Jeff Murray on X (Twitter) @SGJeffMurray. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Carson Power modifies Elmira solar project, removes battery storage