When I was elected to represent District 30, I made a promise to stand up for working families and protect the character and safety of our neighborhoods. That promise remains at the heart of everything I do.

Last year, Middle Village residents learned that a lithium-ion battery energy storage facility had been permitted for 64-30 69th Place, directly across from PS/IS 128Q and next to a children’s play space. This project was approved “as of right” under the City of Yes Carbon Neutrality zoning changes, which opened the door for these types of facilities to be placed in residential areas without the level of public review that should always accompany projects of this scale.

That decision raised valid questions about how we balance citywide goals with the character and safety of individual neighborhoods. The Juniper Park Civic Association has led in expressing many of those concerns, and I share them.

Residents deserve to know that major projects are being developed with transparency, oversight, and meaningful community input.

There is no disagreement that New York City must modernize its energy infrastructure, but doing so RESPONSIBLY is just as important as doing it quickly.

That means ensuring these facilities are sited in appropriate areas that have the proper infrastructure and buffers to support them.

That is why I, together with my colleagues across all levels of government, have been in active discussions with NineDot Energy to identify a better location within our district. We have proposed an alternative site in a nearby industrial area that would still meet the company’s operational needs and benefit the city’s grid, while avoiding placement directly across from a school and dense residential blocks.

These conversations have been constructive, and I appreciate the willingness of all parties to engage in good faith. My goal is not to stall progress, but to make sure it happens the right way—with community partnership, transparency, and shared benefits.

Unfortunately, in moments like this, not everyone operates with the same spirit of cooperation. A small number of self-appointed voices have tried to use this issue to advance personal or institutional interests rather than genuine community advocacy. That kind of behavior divides residents and distracts from the real work of finding solutions. Our neighborhood deserves honest, constructive leadership that puts the community first.

Middle Village is a proud, tight-knit community, and it has always worked best when residents, civic organizations, and elected officials pull in the same direction. I intend to keep working toward a resolution that reflects that spirit. I hope to have better news to share in the next issue of the Juniper Berry—news that shows what we can achieve when we work together to protect our neighborhoods while planning for a sustainable future.

Council Member Phil Wong represents District 30 in the New York City Council.