Battery energy storage systems — BESS — are popping up across the country. They strengthen the electrical grid by storing energy and releasing it at high demand times, and can lower energy costs for customers. But some neighbors of some proposed facilities have concerns about safety and aesthetics.

In Vergennes, residents are pushing back against plans by the company Lightshift to build one on Panton Rd. But local officials and Lightshift representatives say the worries are unfounded.

We talk through how these systems work with Cyril Brunner. He works in the energy sector — currently for Texture, which builds software to operate the grid, and formerly for Vermont Electric Cooperative. We also talk with Vergennes property owner Carrie Hathaway, a vocal opponent of the proposed battery energy storage site.

Adirondack Explorer reporter Gwendolyn Craig fills us in on similar debates over battery storage that are currently underway in Adirondack Park.

A representative from Lightshift shared a statement from the company with Vermont Edition ahead of today's show:

“Battery energy storage is playing an increasingly important role in advancing Vermont's renewable energy goals, strengthening grid reliability, and helping manage electricity costs. The proposed Panton Road facility uses lithium iron phosphate batteries, a technology widely recognized for its strong safety record. The proposed footprint is approximately 0.17 acres in an industrially zoned site near other larger commercial businesses. Lightshift has met with local officials and residents to present the project and answer questions, and local fire officials have stated they have no safety objections.

If approved, the project will provide important benefits to the state and ratepayers. It will help lower energy costs, decrease fossil fuel reliance, and strengthen grid resilience during periods of severe weather and system stress. The project is designed with multiple layers of safety protection, will meet all required safety codes, and does not present a greater safety risk than other types of industrial businesses in the area. The noise level will be studied and mitigated if necessary to ensure no undue adverse impact. The project’s aesthetic impact will also be studied and mitigated if necessary to thoughtfully complement its surroundings.

Our focus is on providing clear information about battery storage technology and safety, continuing to engage openly with residents and local officials, and participating fully in Vermont's rigorous regulatory review process. We are committed to ensuring that the process is guided by facts and grounded in a shared commitment to Vermont’s energy future.

It is important to recognize that we are in the early stages of development. We look forward to continuing to engage with interested parties, including the town and residents, to try to incorporate community input as much as reasonably possible.”

Broadcast live on Monday, June 8, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

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