Carson Power offers setback flexibility, hazard analysis option for proposed Grand Island battery-storage law
May 05, 2026 | Grand Island, Erie County, New York
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
A representative of Carson Power briefed the board on recommended edits to the draft battery‑storage law intended to preserve local siting flexibility.
Andrew Gordon, vice president at Carson Power (speaker 9), said the company supports a lower baseline setback (he referenced 50 feet as an example) but recommended that the town include optionality for a hazard‑mitigation analysis that would allow a larger setback when site conditions require it. Gordon said a hazard analysis performed by a qualified third party would give the town objective evidence to require expanded buffers for certain projects.
Gordon said Carson Power is ‘‘highly interested in developing a project on Grand Island’’ and recommended the board consider flexibility in the law to assess sites on a case‑by‑case basis; he offered to supply technical input and noted the water‑tower parcel, among others, could be viable depending on interconnect and setback analyses.
The board asked staff to continue refining the law and to ensure planning‑board review and public‑hearing processes proceed in coordination with utility and public‑safety input. No formal changes to the draft were adopted at the workshop.
Next steps: staff will circulate Carson Power’s written comments to the board and planning board and continue to prepare the draft for the scheduled public hearing.
Andrew Gordon, vice president at Carson Power (speaker 9), said the company supports a lower baseline setback (he referenced 50 feet as an example) but recommended that the town include optionality for a hazard‑mitigation analysis that would allow a larger setback when site conditions require it. Gordon said a hazard analysis performed by a qualified third party would give the town objective evidence to require expanded buffers for certain projects.
Gordon said Carson Power is ‘‘highly interested in developing a project on Grand Island’’ and recommended the board consider flexibility in the law to assess sites on a case‑by‑case basis; he offered to supply technical input and noted the water‑tower parcel, among others, could be viable depending on interconnect and setback analyses.
The board asked staff to continue refining the law and to ensure planning‑board review and public‑hearing processes proceed in coordination with utility and public‑safety input. No formal changes to the draft were adopted at the workshop.
Next steps: staff will circulate Carson Power’s written comments to the board and planning board and continue to prepare the draft for the scheduled public hearing.
View the Full Meeting & All Its Details
This article offers just a summary. Unlock complete video, transcripts, and insights as a Founder Member.
✓
Watch full, unedited meeting videos
✓
Search every word spoken in unlimited transcripts
✓
AI summaries & real-time alerts (all government levels)
✓
Permanent access to expanding government content
30-day money-back guarantee
