Middle Village, Queens — Multiple elected officials and community stakeholders, including Council Member Phil Wong, New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, Congress Member Grace Meng, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, State Senator Joseph Addabbo, and State Assembly Member Andrew Hevesi, joined by United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew, Juniper Park Civic Association President Anthony Nunziato, and Middle Village Chamber of Commerce President Salvatore Crifasi, today issued the following joint statement regarding the proposed battery energy storage system (BESS) facility on 69th Place in Middle Village:

“Battery energy storage will play a role in strengthening our electric grid, but the proposed location at 69 Place is simply the wrong fit given its immediate proximity to PS/IS 128, a daycare center, a children’s fun house, an animal hospital, residential homes, and even a District 24 Teachers Center. We are united with the community in opposing this site and support a constructive counterproposal that would relocate the project to a more appropriate industrial area. The goal is to balance the need for reliable energy infrastructure with the responsibility to protect residential neighborhoods and community institutions. There is a clear path forward that allows this project to advance in a more suitable industrial location without compromising the safety and character of the surrounding community.”