Somerset Zoning Board Continues 168-Megawatt Battery Storage Hearing to July

SOMERSET — June 4, 2026 — Somerset's Zoning Board of Appeals continued its review of a proposed 168-megawatt commercial battery energy storage facility at 1606 Riverside Avenue, adjourning to July 16 after hearing a redesigned site plan and extended public comment. Developer Flatiron Energy Project Manager Hannah Larkin presented a new layout using the Fluence Smartstack battery system, which reduces the number of enclosures from roughly 150-200 to 98 and increases setbacks from Stephen Street residences from approximately 52 feet to 110 feet. Fire Chief T.J. Barrows' June 3 letter, read into the record, acknowledged improvements but listed continuing concerns about aerial apparatus access off County Street, draft plume modeling, and the need for independent peer review of all fire safety documents. The Somerset Planning Board voted 3-2 on May 6 to issue an unfavorable recommendation citing incomplete information. Public comment drew union construction workers in support and neighbors opposed, with a recurring dispute over whether the 168-megawatt project — exceeding the 100-megawatt threshold for state Energy Facility Siting Board jurisdiction as of July 1 — should remain before the local board or be referred to the state.