Westfield Battery Storage - Streamfield Energy Storage

12 March 2025 - EFSB Public Hearing anticipated Spring 2025. 

EFSB Docket for this project, EFSB Event Announcements, and Public Hearing Notices 

[Note: The DPU fileroom webpages have a new look and functionality. See guidebook for more info on these updates.]

26 Feb 2025 - The Undersecretary of Environmental Justice and Equity, Maria Belen Power, and her team paid a visit to Westfield to listen to environmental and economic concerns of our community.  Video  (Media story links in Media tab below.)

February 18, 2025 - The Dept of Public Utilities (DPU) transferred docket to Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) as required by the 2024 Climate Law, with the filings, documents, and parties preserved and transfered into EFSB review authority. 

February 14, 2025 - DPU announced its ruling regarding Limited Participants and Intervenors, approving all applications.   WESTFIELD BATTERY STORAGE BESS Streamfield Jupiter Power

... is proposing this project?  Jupiter Power, LLC., Westfield ESS, LLC.   WESTFIELD BATTERY STORAGE

... are the decision making authorities for this project?  Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB)     WESTFIELD BATTERY STORAGE BESS Streamfield Jupiter Power

... is the Streamfield Energy Storage Facility?

From the project website:

"Streamfield is a 200-megawatt utility-scale battery energy storage project that will connect to Eversource's existing Buck Pond substation on Medeiros Way."     WESTFIELD BATTERY STORAGE BESS Streamfield Jupiter Power

Map indicating project area, Arm Brook, nearby Zone I wellhead protection areass, Zone II wellhead protection areas for Westfield and Southampton, and 2020 Environmental Justice Population Census Block from WRAFT Director Mello's Dec. 20, 2024 letter to DPU.   WESTFIELD BATTERY STORAGE BESS Streamfield Jupiter Power

January 29, 2025 - Applicant submitted answers to preliminary questions. Found in 14 documents uploaded on this date in the Project’s Document Archive.

January 15, 2025 -  The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) issued Preliminary Information Requests to Westfield ESS, LLC regarding their proposed 200 MW/800 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project. These requests constitute a “preliminary set of discovery” and  focus on several key areas:

• Alternative Site Layouts: The DPU has asked Westfield ESS to consider modifying their proposed site plan to reduce potential impacts on groundwater resources.

• Environmental Concerns: Questions were raised about the project's proximity to DEP Zone II wellhead protection areas and wetlands.

• Site Selection Process: The DPU is seeking more information about the company's evaluation of alternative sites, including parcels that were previously considered unavailable.

• Hydrogeological Analysis: Westfield ESS has been asked to provide or conduct a hydrogeological analysis of the candidate sites.

• Fire Safety and Containment: In response to public comments, the DPU has inquired about firewater containment strategies and alternative fire suppression methods.

20 December 2024 - The public comment period for the zoning exemption request ended at 4 p.m.. Hundreds of Westfield residents sent in letters. Current and former Ward 1 Councilors Karen Fanion, Mary Ann Babinski, and the Westfield Gas & Electric Light Department petitioned for Limited Participant status in the proceedings. The City of Westfield, NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy, WRAFT and a 27 person group of residents (represented by attorney Dennis Murphy with Kristen Mello as their point of contact) filed Petitions to Intervene in the DPU proceedings.

The difference, as explained on the DPU siting process page above, states that  

“An Intervenor may:

• Issue information requests and receive responses;

• Present written testimony and witnesses;

• Cross-examine witnesses;

• File a brief; and

• Appeal an order or final decision.

A Limited Participant may:

• Receive copies of information requests and testimony in a proceeding;

• Receive copies of responses to information requests; and

• File a brief.”

19 December 2024 - The Westfield City Council voted unanimously in support of a resolution opposing the BESS facility on Medeiros Way.

17 December 2024 - State announced a $3.5 million fund for stakeholders to intervene in the utility siting process, to be in place by March 2026.

5 December 2024 - A public comment hearing was held at Westfield State University, allowing both in-person and remote participation. (video, slides, transcript)

20 November 2024 - The Climate Act was signed into Law including reforms making it easier to site energy infrastructure and promising to provide an opportunity for citizens, cities and other groups to participate in the process. Further promises to establish guidelines regulating that process by March 2026.

25 September 2024 - Jupiter Power / Westfield ESS filed a petition with the Department of Public Utilities (DPU), seeking an exemption from local zoning ordinances (including the Water Resource Protection District Zoning Ordinance) and approval to construct the battery energy storage system (BESS).  All filings are in the Project’s Document Archive.

15 August 2024 - City Council voted 8-4 to approve allowing the mayor to execute an easement for a portion of a right of way for Medeiros Way. Councilors Allie, Fanion, Matthews-Kane, and Mello voted against the motion. Councilor Morganelli was absent. (Video. Discussion begins at 43:43.)

6 August 2024 - Legislative and Ordinance Committee of the City Council voted to accept the resolution authorizing the mayor to sign the easement for the right of way for the portion of Medeiros Way.

26 June 2024 - Jupiter Power holds a community meeting at the Elks Lodge - no hybrid attendance available.

9 July 2024 - Representatives from Jupiter Power met with the Board of Public Works to present an easement for approval for a right of way on part of Medeiros Way for a new high voltage line.

8 July 2024 - Mayor McCabe sent a request and Resolution to City Council to allow the mayor to execute an easement for a portion of a right of way for a certain parcel of real estate known as Medeiros Way.

24 January 2023 - Jupiter Power hosts a (failed) hybrid community meeting to introduce the project.

15 November 2022 -  BlackRock acquired Jupiter Power from EnCap Investments. 

23 August 2021 - Westfield ESS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company with offices in Texas at the same address as Jupiter Power, registered to do business in Massachusetts. 

12 August 2021 - Jupiter Power of Texas registered to do business in Massachusetts.   WESTFIELD BATTERY STORAGE BESS Streamfield Jupiter Power

Siting a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Westfield, Massachusetts is a BAD IDEA for many reasons -

• BESS units contain hazardous materials. 

• BESS units regularly light on fire, in events called "thermal runaway."

• This project is proposed to go over our aquifer and the lands providing its secondary recharge. 

• Geologically speaking, Westfield is in the shape of a bowl (see topographical map below)

• Westfield is home to Environmental Justice populations (see maps in previous tab and below).   WESTFIELD BATTERY STORAGE BESS Streamfield Jupiter Power

https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/02/proposed-battery-storage-facility-remains-point-of-contention.html

https://www.westernmassnews.com/2025/02/27/proposed-lithium-battery-storage-facility-causing-controversy-westfield/

https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/hampden-county/westfield-residents-protest-battery-storage-facility/ 

https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/02/dpu-grants-intervenor-and-limited-participation-rights-in-bess-hearing.html 

https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/02/state-undersecretary-of-env-justice-and-equity-to-launch-tour-in-westfield-feb-26.html 

https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/01/planning-board-recommends-zoning-amendment-limiting-battery-energy-storage-systems-in-westfield.html 

https://thereminder.com/local-news/councilors-vote-unanimously-for-resolution-opposing-battery-storage-site/

https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/12/state-dpu-to-host-public-hearing-thursday-at-wsu-about-battery-storage-project.html

https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/06/westfield-battery-bank-construction-planned-for-as-early-as-2025.html 

https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/03/state-permit-questions-delaying-development-of-westfield-battery-storage-bank.html 

https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/01/community-meeting-tuesday-on-battery-storage-facility-proposed-in-westfield.html  WESTFIELD BATTERY STORAGE BESS Streamfield Jupiter Power