April 10, 2025

KAOH Media Insights

What you need to know for April 10, 2025:

MIT Tech Review, A BESS fire in Moss Landing, California in early 2025 has increased concerns around the technology’s safety.

National News: American Clean Power Association Publishes Battery Storage Blueprint for Safety

The American Clean Power Association recently published the Battery Storage Blueprint for Safety in response to the Moss Landing fire, aiming to ensure best practices for lithium-ion-based battery energy storage (BESS) projects. The blueprint outlines key actions and policy recommendations for state and local jurisdictions to regulate battery storage, enforce rigorous safety standards, and coordinate safety and emergency response. The rationale for these guidelines is to protect public health and safety by implementing modern designs and standards, such as NFPA 855, which have significantly improved fire safety and reduced risks. The energy storage industry is committed to working with fire departments, safety experts, policymakers, and regulators to enact these recommendations and ensure the safe deployment of battery storage facilities. This follows multiple legislative efforts towards greater BESS safety, including New York State’s revised safety plans in 2024, which generated some controversy from local officials who saw them as too restrictive.

Canary Media, Despite rising renewable energy capacity worldwide, carbon emissions continue to rise.

Global News: Global Energy Transition Faces Challenges with Rising Demand

The global energy transition faces a dual challenge – growing clean energy capacity and rising electricity demand. In 2024, over 700 GW of clean energy were installed worldwide, with solar power driving much of this growth. However, global energy-related emissions increased by 1% due to surging electricity demand, which rose 4.3% last year, driven in part by air conditioning usage and industrial needs. To reduce emissions while meeting power demand, it is crucial to accelerate the deployment of clean energy sources like solar, wind, and nuclear at an even faster pace.

Idaho Power, A simulated aerial view of the proposed Boise Bench Substation batteries from the east.

State News: Idaho Proposed BESS project Appealed by Residents

Idaho Power's proposed 200MW battery storage project at the Boise Bench substation aims to address growing energy needs. Despite approval from the City of Boise, nearby residents appealed the project due to concerns about fire danger, noise, and declining property values. The City Council acknowledged the risks but upheld the Planning and Zoning decision, citing no legal errors and constraints from a recent Idaho Supreme Court decision. Idaho Power plans to work with the Boise Fire Department on an emergency response plan and has made changes to the project scope based on community feedback. Construction is expected to start soon to meet the 2026 deadline.

Canary Media, A 20-kilowatt floating wind turbine prototype is shown in 2013 in the Gulf of Maine.

State News: Offshore Wind Farm in Gulf of Maine Negotiations Paused

Negotiations for a power contract for an offshore floating wind farm in the Gulf of Maine have been paused by Pine Tree Offshore Wind LLC due to recent shifts in the energy landscape and rising material costs, impacting Maine's efforts to establish floating offshore wind as a significant clean energy source. The Maine Governor’s Energy Office is respecting the pause and remains committed to offshore wind research and development. The proposed research array, 30 miles off Portland, was seen as a crucial step towards a commercial-scale wind farm. Without the contract, Maine risks losing its leadership position in the offshore wind industry. The proposal has drawn opposition from coastal residents and the commercial fishing industry.  

The Observer Today, Hanover, NY residents sharing concerns about a proposed BESS project.

State News: New York Residents Voicer Safety Concerns Over BESS Project

Hanover, New York residents voiced their concerns during a second public hearing about a proposed 250MW lithium battery storage system by Northland Power, Inc. The project aims to store and dispatch energy from sources like solar and wind farms. Residents expressed worries about potential fires, chemical contamination, and the proximity to Lake Erie, reflecting increasingly frequent anxieties in BESS host communities.  

Earth Day 2025: Our Power, Our Planet

Media and Community Relations Specialist

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Southeast Michigan

How long have you worked at KAOH?

Five years as of February 2025