Middle Village, Queens is bracing for a fight over a proposed lithium-ion battery storage facility slated for construction across the street from PS 128, a public elementary school, a daycare center and an animal hospital. Residents and local officials are raising serious concerns about safety, transparency, and the potential impact on property values, questioning why such a facility would be placed in the heart of a densely populated residential neighborhood. The debate highlights a growing tension between the city’s push for clean energy solutions and the need to address legitimate community anxieties about potential risks.
The controversy came to a head on Thursday, February 26th, when roughly two dozen protesters gathered near the proposed site at 64-30 69th Place, organized by Paul Pogozelski, president of the Middle Village Property Owners Association. The demonstration, reported by the New York Post, underscored a deep sense of frustration over what residents describe as a lack of communication from both NineDot Energy, the company behind the project, and city officials.
Pogozelski, speaking at the rally, emphasized that the opposition wasn’t to clean energy itself, but to the location. “Let me be clear: We are not against clean energy. We are against placing a lithium battery storage facility in the middle of our residential neighborhood — directly across from a school,” he stated, as reported by NewsBlaze. “Middle Village is homes, Families. Seniors. Small businesses. We see not an industrial zone.” He called on NineDot Energy to provide a comprehensive public presentation, answering questions directly from residents, and to prove the project’s safety.
Concerns Over Safety and Transparency
The core of the community’s concern revolves around the potential for fires. Lithium-ion batteries are known to be susceptible to thermal runaway, a reaction that can lead to intense, difficult-to-extinguish fires. The Queens Ledger reported in October 2025 that opposition to the facility was already a key issue at a local community meeting. Residents are demanding answers to critical questions: Who is responsible for emergency response in the event of a fire? Who will bear the cost of environmental remediation? And what safeguards are in place to protect homeowners and businesses?
Adding to the anxiety is the lack of transparency surrounding the project’s approval process. Residents claim they were not informed about the plans until permits were already being filed. “While permits were being filed and plans were advancing, our community was told nothing. No public meetings, no notice, no transparency from the company,” Pogozelski said, according to NewsBlaze. This perceived lack of communication has fueled distrust and a sense of being disregarded by both the company and local authorities.
Financial Implications and Wider Debate
Beyond safety concerns, residents are also worried about the potential financial implications. Jonathan David Rinaldi, as reported by NewsBlaze, warned that the presence of a lithium-ion battery storage facility could drive up insurance costs for homeowners and businesses in the area. “When you put a lithium battery storage facility in a residential neighborhood, insurance companies see one thing: higher risk. And higher risk means higher insurance premiums,” he explained. This concern is particularly acute given the already rising cost of living in New York City.
The situation in Middle Village is part of a broader debate about the placement of energy storage facilities. While these facilities are seen as crucial for integrating renewable energy sources into the grid, their location is often contentious. The Carlyle Group, a major investor in NineDot Energy, manages nearly $500 billion in assets, according to NewsBlaze, raising questions about the balance between profit and community safety. Councilman Phil Wong and Raimondo Graziano from Senator Joseph Addabbo’s office are reportedly working to identify more suitable industrial locations for the facility, according to reporting by NewsBlaze.
The situation in Middle Village underscores the challenges of balancing the need for sustainable energy infrastructure with the concerns of local communities. The next step is a planned civic meeting where NineDot Energy has been invited to present its plans and address residents’ questions. The outcome of that meeting, and any subsequent legislative action, will likely set a precedent for future energy storage projects in New York City and beyond. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and participate in the ongoing dialogue to ensure their voices are heard.
