Residents of Ulster, Hurley, and Kingston will have an opportunity to raise their concerns about a proposed 250-megawatt lithium-ion battery storage facility during a public video conference hosted by developer Terra-Gen on Wednesday, July 2 at 7pm. The project, planned for the former site of John A. Coleman Catholic High School, has drawn sharp criticism from nearby communities due to its close proximity to residential neighborhoods, a historic district, and an elementary school.
The public has the opportunity to submit questions in advance to info@ulstercleanenergy.com.
While eco-minded leaders in Kingston have largely supported the project for its economic benefits and potential to somewhat reduce fossil fuel reliance, officials and residents in Hurley and Ulster have voiced strong opposition, citing safety and environmental risks. Local environmental activists have called for a more thorough review. Residents from Village Court and Stony Run apartments, located near the site, have publicly expressed their alarm. Their concerns focus on the potential for fires or chemical leaks from the lithium-ion batteries, which they fear could pose serious health risks and threaten their quality of life.
Their apprehension is not without precedent. In January 2025, a lithium-ion battery fire at a 300-megawatt facility in Moss Landing, California, triggered evacuation orders across an eight-square-mile area and led to warnings for residents miles away to stay indoors. Government and industry-backed studies later reported that most hazardous emissions remained within safe limits.
At the meeting, Terra-Gen Vice President Mark Turner will have the opportunity to sell local residents on the benefits of the plant and assuage safety concerns. Based on social media comments, he will have his work cut out for him, with many expressing grave concern around a potential industrial accident. There is also a contingent of commenters supporting the project, primarily based on the potential of turning a blighted property into an economic benefit for themselves and their community.
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