Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo (R,C-Staten Island) today announced that following his April 21, 2025, letter to the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) the denial of Hecate Grid Swiftsure LLC’s extension request, PSC Secretary Michelle Phillips has formally denied Hecate’s attempt to file key project documents more than 200 days late.

His letter, sent in collaboration with Sen. Andrew Lanza, Assemblyman Mike Reilly (R,C-Staten Island) and Council Member David Carr, all of whom represent the Travis community, called on the PSC to uphold the safety of Staten Island residents, common sense, transparency and accountability by rejecting Hecate Grid’s baseless request for a six-month extension to submit its legally required decommissioning plan and cost estimate for the recklessly proposed 650 megawatt battery energy storage system (BESS) in Travis.

“This decision by the secretary is an important win for the people of Staten Island and for common sense,” said Pirozzolo. “Our community raised serious concerns about this dangerous and unproven facility, and it is simply unacceptable for a developer to miss critical deadlines by over 200 days and expect special treatment. I am grateful the secretary recognized that fact and upheld the rule of law. Now that it has been proven that Hecate Grid is incapable of adhering to the law, it is time to shut this project down entirely.”

The Swiftsure Energy Storage Project would be one of the largest battery energy storage facilities in the U.S., located on about eight acres in the heart of the Travis neighborhood in Staten Island. Construction is estimated at $300 million, with operations projected to begin in winter 2027.

Despite this positive step, Pirozzolo cautioned that Hecate Grid may still seek approval directly from the PSC commissioners, bypassing the secretary’s determination. To address this looming threat, Pirozzolo is actively working to schedule meetings in Albany with PSC leadership to continue advocating for Staten Island residents and ensure no further extensions are granted.

“We cannot afford to let our guard down. This victory shows what our community can achieve when we stand together, but we must remain vigilant until this dangerous project is permanently defeated,” said Pirozzolo.

Additional Background Information

In 2024, Hecate Grid applied for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) from the PSC, granting the company a significantly reduced regulatory burden compared to traditional public utilities. In exchange, Hecate was required to demonstrate timely compliance with critical safeguards, including submission of a comprehensive decommissioning plan and cost estimate to ensure the facility could be responsibly dismantled if needed. Instead, Hecate Grid missed its legal deadline by more than 200 days before seeking an extension, raising serious doubts about the company’s ability to responsibly manage a project of this magnitude.

Community opposition to the project has been unwavering and fierce since its announcement. Residents have consistently raised alarms about the site’s potential environmental hazards, public safety risks and Hecate Grid’s persistent refusal to meaningfully engage with the community. Nearly every representative originally introduced by Hecate Grid has since left the project, leaving Staten Islanders with no clear point of contact and no reliable source of information.

Concerns are further heightened by the risks inherent in large-scale battery energy storage systems. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, BESS facilities present significant dangers, including risks of fire, explosion and toxic chemical exposure. Recent fires and malfunctions at similar facilities in New York and California — including a catastrophic incident in Warwick, NY — have validated community fears about the consequences of inadequate oversight.

Editor's Note: The letter Pirozzolo, Reilly, Lanza and Carr sent to the PSC, Hecate Grid’s motion to the PSC secretary and the denial letter from the PSC are attached to this press release.