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In Kingston, more than two dozen residents gathered on Saturday (November 8) to protest a proposed lithium-ion battery plant. The facility, planned by Terra-Gen, a company partially owned by Masdar from the United Arab Emirates, is set to be built on the site of the former John A. Coleman Catholic High School on Hurley Avenue.
Protesters, including organizer Jillian Fried, voiced concerns about the potential environmental hazards posed by the plant. "The more that we know about lithium-ion batteries is that they are a fire hazard," Fried said, highlighting the toxic emissions and fire risks associated with the batteries. Despite Terra-Gen's assurances of state-of-the-art fire suppression systems, the proximity of the proposed site to residential areas, schools, and nurseries has heightened community worries.
The Ulster Town Board has already issued a "positive declaration" under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), triggering a full environmental review of the project. This decision comes amid a six-month moratorium on large-scale battery energy storage systems enacted by the neighboring town of Hurley. Local officials have expressed concerns about the plant's safety, potential environmental impacts, and emergency response capabilities.
In response to the growing opposition, the Hurley Town Board sent a letter to Ulster officials, requesting a six-month moratorium to allow for thorough environmental and health assessments, public hearings, and consideration of alternative sites and technologies. The letter emphasizes the site's proximity to homes, churches, and schools in Hurley, Ulster, and Kingston.
As the debate continues, Terra-Gen remains committed to advancing the project, with company representatives expressing confidence that the facility can be safely built and operated. However, community members and local officials remain divided over the plant's potential risks and benefits.