Battery storage, Colombian student's debt to America, sacrificing pets for a zoo

Opposing views on battery storage

Now that there are firefighter-created safety codes for battery energy storage systems, or BESS, what is the opposition about? It’s still about fear [“Not swayed by new rules,” News, Aug. 5].

Yes, the Moss Landing fire in California was horrendous, but even before then, new, safer designs were created that comply with the new code that will avoid the problems caused by the early adopters’ first-draft designs. Disasters historically have led to improved safety by learning lessons and finding solutions.

The conversation around battery storage should also be about lowering our electric bills. Battery storage provides cheaper peak demand electricity, according to the Clean Energy States Alliance.

This is even more relevant now since PSEG is moving ratepayer accounts onto the new time of day (TOD) electric rates that charge more for power consumed 3-7 p.m. Currently, peak TOD rates in the summer are are about twice as high as for off-peak. Retiring peaker plants and replacing them with battery storage will save ratepayers this steep cost disparity.

Let’s end the moratoria based on fear and build battery storage for lower bills, cleaner air, and a healthy future for our kids.

— Stuart Braman, Port Washington

The writer founded a climate-focused research and advisory firm and volunteers with the Renewable Heat Now regional team.

It seems that Long Islanders have not learned lessons from past serious environmental polluting events, such as the Grumman site in Bethpage. Now, large lithium battery sites are proposed across our island.

When one of these batteries overheats and burns, which is not uncommon, it releases toxic and deadly material. No technology exists to extinguish these fires, so they must burn out. Meanwhile, toxins become airborne and the batteries are cooled by fire departments spraying them with water. Will this water contaminate the surrounding soil and seep into our drinking water?

Companies installing these batteries and the politicians who support these sites perhaps are seeing only financial gain and not the potential dangers.

— Mark Galligan, Holbrook

It’s no wonder people are concerned about storage battery installations. The units being owned by different investors makes the safety issue more difficult. Having to wait four hours for an expert to arrive on the scene is ridiculous.

The batteries should be owned by the Long Island Power Authority and maintained by PSEG just like the rest of the grid. The current way will be a bureaucratic nightmare.

— Dunstan Bradley, Lindenhurst

We need to be sure that we know all we can know and that we do not build these facilities in haste. We are in a period of transition, and funds are limited. Slow down and take a better look. Allow residents to impact the process of siting these facilities. The benefits of clean energy are real, but the costs associated with storage facilities are not fully understood. — Mary Negra, East Setauket

Student learned how to play the system

I gather that Sara Lopez Garcia and her family learned how to play the system [“SCCC honors student deported back to Columbia,” News, Aug. 5].

It got her a tourist visa, turning it into special juvenile legal status, and likely got free tuition, a free flight back to her “happy” home of Colombia, the $1,000 voluntary deportation money, free food, a free hotel room and she will now continue her education online at Suffolk County Community College.

Now, her brother has another year for himself to gather up more of America’s free offerings, then he’ll probably head back to Colombia, too. One would think someone who supposedly was abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent wouldn’t have come here on a tourist visa and be so happy to go back to that country, but Lopez Garcia said she wants to stay, work, and build her life in Colombia.

I’m thinking instead of being “disappointed with America,” she, her family and fiance should be eternally grateful for getting more than many Americans ever get.

— Anthony Perri, Manorville

Sacrificing pets as food is unbelievable

I was appalled reading the article “Zoo seeks donations of pets to feed animals” [News, Aug. 5].

I’m sure people are considering rushing to bring Gilda, their guinea pig; Fluffy, their rabbit; or Henrietta, their chicken to be euthanized and fed to Leo the Lion. Just how awful is this?

If the Denmark zoo can’t feed its animals, it is because the animals should be roaming in their natural environment and not on display.

I wonder how long it will be before the zoo starts asking for Grandma and Grandpa.

— Anne Carboni, Manorville