Frequently Asked Questions: Proposed 26 Pearl Street Battery Energy Storage Project (BESS)
1) What is being proposed at 26 Pearl Street?
A large-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is being proposed at 26 Pearl Street in Bellingham, Massachusetts. This type of facility stores electricity in large lithium-ion battery units and releases it back to the grid when demand is high.
This is an industrial-scale energy storage project proposed in close proximity to homes, local roads, and environmentally sensitive areas.
2) Is this a solar project?
No. This is not a solar farm and does not involve solar panels.
This proposal is for a stand-alone battery storage facility consisting of large battery units, transformers, inverters, and related equipment in a secured outdoor compound.
3) Where is the proposed site, and what is nearby?
The proposed site is located at: 26 Pearl Street, Bellingham, MA
Nearby:
Established residential neighborhoods
Family homes
The Charles River watershed
Wetlands and environmentally fragile land
Neighboring communities in Franklin and Medway
Residents are concerned because of the project’s proximity to homes, waterways, and sensitive habitat.
4) Why are residents concerned?
Residents have serious concerns about:
Fire and thermal runaway risks associated with lithium-ion batteries
Toxic smoke / gas release in the event of a thermal event/battery fire
Potential explosion / pressure wave risk if gases accumulate
Runoff contamination reaching wetlands and the Charles River watershed
Noise impacts from cooling systems and equipment
Lighting and visual impacts
Emergency response readiness
Traffic / access concerns
Property values and neighborhood character
While battery storage can support energy goals, residents believe this location raises significant public safety and environmental concerns.
5) Have similar BESS sites had safety incidents?
Yes. Battery storage incidents in other U.S. communities have resulted in:
Shelter-in-place orders
Road closures
Air monitoring
Multi-day fire response and monitoring
These examples highlight why strong site-specific planning, fire mitigation, and emergency response are essential before any approval.
6) How are lithium-ion battery fires handled?
Battery fires require specialized response.
In many cases:
Firefighters establish safety perimeters
Nearby structures are protected
The system is allowed to burn
Air quality needs consistent monitoring
Roads will be closed
Residents are demanding:
7) What about noise, lighting, and traffic?
Noise
Cooling systems / HVAC hum
Equipment operation during nighttime hours
Lighting
Security lights affecting nearby homes
Nighttime visual intrusion
Traffic
Construction traffic
Maintenance access
Emergency response impacts
These quality-of-life issues matter to nearby residents.
8) Who is reviewing the project?
The project may involve review by:
The Zoning Board | a "Special Permit" must be approved before the project proceeds
The Bellingham Planning Board
The Board of Health
Fire Department / Fire Chief
Building Department
Conservation Commission (if applicable)
Massachusetts environmental / safety agencies
Residents are encouraged to attend hearings, review documents, and participate in public comment opportunities.
9) What is the community asking for?
The community’s primary request is:
Do not approve an industrial battery storage facility at this residentially and environmentally sensitive location.
Residents support responsible clean energy, but believe this location is not appropriate for this type of project.
At minimum, residents are demanding:
Full public safety disclosure
Independent third-party review
Emergency response planning
Wetlands and watershed protection
Noise / lighting mitigation
Public notification systems
Financial assurances / cleanup bonding
10) Is this opposition against clean energy?
No.
Residents support clean energy solutions that are:
Safely designed
Responsibly sited
Transparent
Compatible with surrounding neighborhoods
The concern is not clean energy itself — it is the siting of industrial battery infrastructure too close to homes and environmentally sensitive land.
11) What do MW and MWh mean?
MW (megawatt) = power output (how much electricity can be delivered at once)
MWh (megawatt-hour) = total stored energy (how long it can supply power)
Example:
A 6 MW system operating for 4 hours = 24 MWh
12) What can residents do right now?
You can help by:
Signing the petition
Attending public meetings
Reviewing public documents
Sharing information with neighbors
Contacting town boards / officials
Joining community updates
Public participation matters. Your voice can influence decisions that affect neighborhood safety and quality of life.