What is B.E.S.S. ?

B.E.S.S. is short for Battery Energy Storage System (s). They can be smaller than a cell phone, to as large as a tractor trailer linked in series by the hundreds spanning multiple acres of land. The technology, manufacturing, and installation methods are varied and evolving. Specifically, implementation of B.E.S.S. in Gardiner has not been addressed by law and the Town Board is working on draft law that affects all residents in Gardiner, and our surrounding neighbors. The draft law is subject to public review and comment.

To be most effective, the Town Board needs our feedback.

In Consideration:

We need to be energy resilient and independent
We lead, not follow
Let Gardiner’s Comprehensive Plan and Natural Resource Inventory be our Guide
Safety cannot be compromised
The effort must be bi-partisan

Gardiner is our home and we need to protect it!

at bessconcerns.org

our mission:

Educate the Gardiner Community for Shared Action

Desired outcomes:

1. A Gardiner B.E.S.S. law adoption that protects Gardiner’s residents and resources; a law that is reasonable and fair.

2. To protect Gardiner from the outcomes of State legislation for the Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES)

Get involved:

1. Provide your feedback and comments to the Town Board in writing.

2. Attend Town Board Meetings and provide feedback during ‘privilege of the floor,’ and during public comment.

3. Write and call your state elected officials to let provide your feedback on proposed ORES legislation.

Next Town Board Meeting (SPECIAL): June 30, 2026 - 7:00PM - town hall

The agenda includes a ‘BESS Discussion’ on the way moving forward for drafting town law including setbacks, zoning, tiers and more.

CALENDAR EVENT DETAILS

Town of Gardiner Timeline & Key Events

Town of Gardiner Key BESS Documents

Town of Gardiner Planning Doucments

McKinstry BESS Proposal for Context

Current Moratorium Extension Expires: July 14, 2026

On May 12, 2026, the Town Board made a motion to set a public hearing on a 6-month extension to the moratorium to complete the draft law process with sufficient time for public comment.

at bessconcerns.org

We believe that a law addressing BESS with a clear legislative history showing that the town considered a range of alternatives and selected a regulated, non-exclusionary approach, is the best way moving forward.

In our case, the Gardiner Comprehensive Plan and the Natural Resource Inventory provide an established baseline and framework for the town's planning basis for protecting public health, safety, welfare, scenic resources, natural systems, agricultural lands, environment, community character, and land use compatibility.

This process would yield a reasonable, fair, and legally sufficient law for the Town of Gardiner, and ideally one that would ensure Gardiner maintains the rights to home rule.

That home rule is currently vulnerable under two proposed state bills.

A call to action:

Two New York State bills are proposed by the State legislature under the Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) that could grant authority to the State to bypass local siting and permitting for BESS installations. Currently this proposed legislation would not affect “all standalone BESS.” They would be subject to local permitting authority.

However, “BESS paired with large-scale (at or above 25MW) renewable generators are subject to ORES permitting, whereby local laws can be evaluated by ORES for potential exemptions based on burdensomeness.”

In these cases, Gardiner could lose oversight over these projects if the bills are passed.