Green-energy madness will turn NYC family homes into firetraps

New York Post - Apr 24th, 2025

A massive lithium-ion battery facility is set to be established in Middle Village, Queens, near a school, animal hospital, daycare center, and children's fun house. This development, spearheaded by NineDot Energy, is part of the City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality initiative. However, the project has faced significant opposition due to safety concerns, especially considering the potential fire risks associated with lithium-ion batteries. City Council Member Robert Holden has criticized the zoning amendment that allows such projects without public input or environmental review, emphasizing the dangers of placing such facilities in residential neighborhoods.

The controversy highlights broader issues with the city's approach to green infrastructure and zoning policies, which some argue prioritize developers over community safety. The situation in Queens is not isolated, as similar projects are expanding across other boroughs like Brooklyn, Staten Island, and The Bronx, particularly affecting working-class communities. In response, Holden has joined a lawsuit to challenge the zoning overhaul, advocating for more community involvement and stringent safety measures. This conflict underscores the tension between advancing clean energy goals and ensuring public safety in urban planning.

Queens Community Safety Clean Energy Middle Village Lithium Ion Battery Nine Dot Energy City Of Yes Robert Holden Zoning Laws

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article effectively raises awareness of a significant public concern regarding the placement of lithium-ion battery facilities in residential areas. It presents a clear and engaging narrative that captures the urgency of the issue, particularly for affected communities. However, the story's reliance on a single perspective and lack of diverse sources limit its balance and depth. While the article is timely and relevant, offering insights into ongoing debates about urban development and environmental policy, it would benefit from greater transparency and inclusion of multiple viewpoints to enhance its credibility and impact. Overall, the article serves as a catalyst for discussion but requires more comprehensive reporting to fully inform readers.

Accuracy

The story makes several factual claims that appear to be accurate but require further verification. For example, it mentions a proposed lithium-ion battery facility in Middle Village, Queens, near PS/IS 128, which aligns with local reports [2][3]. However, the claim that the facility poses a significant fire hazard, citing incidents in Moss Landing, California, needs precise corroboration, as the story does not provide specific details about those incidents [2][3]. Additionally, the statistics about lithium-ion battery fires in NYC in 2023, resulting in 18 deaths and 150 injuries, require confirmation from reliable sources [3]. Overall, the story presents verifiable claims but relies heavily on anecdotal evidence and lacks comprehensive data support.

Balance

The story primarily presents a singular perspective, focusing on the potential dangers and community opposition to the battery facility. It lacks balance by not including views from NineDot Energy, city officials, or experts in renewable energy who might provide counterarguments or additional context. This one-sided approach may lead to a perception of bias, as it emphasizes the risks and community dissent without acknowledging potential benefits or safety measures that might be in place. The absence of these perspectives creates an imbalanced narrative that could mislead readers about the broader implications of such projects.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a strong narrative flow that guides the reader through the main points. The language is straightforward and accessible, making it easy to understand the author's perspective and concerns. However, the emotional tone and use of charged language, such as 'fire hazard' and 'disaster waiting to happen,' may detract from the overall neutrality of the piece. While the article effectively communicates the author's viewpoint, a more measured tone could enhance its clarity and objectivity.

Source quality

The story references NineDot Energy and Council Member Robert Holden, but it does not provide direct quotes or detailed information from these sources. The lack of diverse and authoritative sources weakens the story's reliability. Including expert opinions or statements from city officials could enhance the credibility and depth of the reporting. The reliance on a single narrative without corroborating evidence from multiple sources limits the article's ability to provide a comprehensive view of the issue.

Transparency

The article lacks transparency in its sourcing and methodology. It does not disclose how information was gathered or provide links to official documents, such as the City of Yes zoning amendment. While it cites specific incidents and statistics, it fails to explain the basis for these claims or the methodology used to gather this data. Greater transparency in sourcing and methodology would help readers assess the validity of the claims made in the article.