Hundreds of Marine Park residents rallied this week in opposition to a lithium-ion battery storage facility set to open near their homes — with some saying the project is literally in their backyard.
“They brought the fight to the wrong people,” one protester said.
NineDot secured the site in 2024 before informing the community, sparking concerns about safety and environmental risks.
Lithium-ion batteries have been linked to several recent fires in Brooklyn, raising alarm among locals about potential toxic gas exposure and fire hazards.
“I cannot stress to you the dangers of the spread of the toxic gases from when those batteries ignite,” one speaker told the crowd.
Following repeated meetings with NineDot, community members say their concerns have been ignored.
That prompted elected officials, including Assemblymember Jaime Williams, to propose new legislation that would require battery storage sites to be located at least 1,000 feet from residential neighborhoods.
More rallies are planned in the coming weeks as the community continues to fight for what they say is their right to a safe environment.