Update 10/23 – John Maihos of PMLP responded to our post submitted to the Energy Awareness Forum: “The exemption was established in 2024. However, it wasn’t until July 2025 that the area was deemed a flood plain by FEMA. As it happens, though, PMLP is no longer interested in placing a battery at this site.” Is the project cancelled or being located elsewhere?

The Peabody Municipal Light Plant has requested an opinion from the city solitictor regarding the status of a proposed BESS battery energy storage system at 201 Warren St. Ext. They are seeking exemption of rules regarding the property which is within Proctor Brook riverfront and FEMA Flood Plain. On July 20, the matter was continued awaiting the city’s legal team response and consideration by the Conservation Commission.

We applaud the creation of the Utility Battery Storage because it reduces bulk power costs by allowing PMLP to store power when it is cheaper for us to buy (during non-peak times), and then to use the battery to shave the peak which helps to reduce stress on the bulk power system and reduces PMLP’s transmission and capacity costs. A collaborative project with MMWEC, the groundbreaking was expected to begin in the summer of 2024. After the physical work begins, it is expected to be approximately 12 months before the battery goes online.

But, why exempt the project from meeting development requirements in the apparent riverfront and flood plain? This is the first or one of the earliest battery storage projects to be considered in the CIty; it should meet all enviromental requirements and set a future example. Does the City require lighting and fencing,m etc. for battery storage projects?