Westfield Battery Storage

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On Friday, April 25 2025 Westfield ESS, llc withdrew their BESS Project petition before the Energy Facilities Siting Board from consideration.

THIS MEETING HAS BEEN CANCELED!
April 29th - EFSB VIRTUAL PUBLIC HEARING! Written comments by May 13th. 

On March 28, 2025, Hearing Officer Sharkey posted and sent out information announcing a new BESS public hearing and date for written comments to be submitted to the Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB).
Virtual Public Hearing and Public Comment Info Copied directly from their notice

"The Siting Board will review the Company’s zoning petition in conjunction with a review of the petition for the related 115 kV underground transmission lines in a single consolidated docket, EFSB 25-04/D.P.U. 24-151.
The Siting Board is providing additional opportunity to comment on the Project, with
(1) a virtual (remote) public comment hearing, and
(2) additional opportunity for written comments.
https://eeaonline.eea.state.ma.us/dpu/fileroom/#/dockets/docket/12396

The Siting Board will conduct a virtual (remote) public comment hearing on:
Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.

Attendees: join by clicking this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84632716786. For audio-
only participation, attendees can dial in at (646) 558-8656 (not a toll-free number) and then enter
the Webinar ID: 846-3271-6786.

To provide oral comments during the virtual public comment hearing, please send an email to [email protected] with your name, email address, and mailing address by noon, April 29, 2025.
To provide comments by telephone, please leave a voicemail message referencing “EFSB 25-04/D.P.U. 24- 151” at (617) 305-3544 with your name, telephone number, and mailing address by noon Monday, April 28, 2025.
Pre-registered commenters will speak first, and other commenters afterward.
The Siting Board also invites written comments on the Project. Written comments will be most useful to the Siting Board if submitted by Tuesday, May 13, 2025."

summary

Jupiter Power, under its subsidiary Westfield ESS LLC, has proposed the Streamfield Energy Storage Facility—a 200-megawatt battery energy storage system in Westfield, Massachusetts. The facility aims to connect to Eversource's existing Buck Pond substation on Medeiros Way to enhance the reliability and resilience of the regional power grid.
On September 25, 2024, Westfield ESS LLC filed a petition with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU), seeking zoning exemptions from the City of Westfield's ordinances and approval to construct two 115-kV underground transmission lines to connect the facility to the Buck Pond Substation. State website for the project.
In November 2024, the Climate Act was signed into law, tranferring approval authority for reviewing the petitions before the DPU to the Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) effective February 18, 2025.
Westfield Residents Advocating For Themselves, Inc (WRAFT), along with 27 residents, filed a successful petition to Intervene in these proceedings and have the right to call witnesses, examine experts, file motions, and appeal the final decision if necessary.
The outcome of the EFSB review will determine whether the project receives the necessary approvals to proceed. Jupiter Power has indicated plans to commence construction in 2026, aiming for the facility to be operational by mid-2027.

Energy facilities siting board related links and resources

EFSB Docket for the Westfield Battery Storage project and the User Guide for their new DPU Fileroom dashboard.
Facilities Siting Process Graphic (updated)
EFSB Environmental Justice Strategy (draft)
EFSB Event Announcements and Public Hearing Notices
EFSB Handbook (old, 2019)

2024 Climate Act stakeholder sessions

The state has committed to creating a fair siting process for things like BESS by March 2025. They are accepting input on this process at several Stakeholder Sessions.
(Note: The links on this page are to English copies. Translations are available from the 2024 Climate Act Stakeholder Sessions' main page.)

Session #1 was held on Thursday, April 10, from 1-4pm. Slide deck
Written comments preferred by 4/24 by email or email attachment to [email protected]
Staff Straw Proposals: Standard Conditions, Procedural Regulations.

Session #2 was on New Appications and held on Thursday, April 17th. Slide deck
Written comments preferred by 5/1 by email or email attachment to [email protected]
Staff Straw Proposal: New Applications

Session #3 is scheduled to discuss Prefiling Engagement Requirements, DPU and EFSB Intervenor Support Grant Program, and Guidance on Community Benefits Plans on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. as a hybrid meeting in person in Roxbury, MA.
Slide deck not yet publicly available.
Written comments preferred by 5/8 by email or email attachment to [email protected]
Staff Straw Proposals : Prefiling Engagement Requirements, Intervenor Support Grant Program.

Session #4 is scheduled to discuss Cumulative Impacts Analysis and Site Suitability Criteria on Monday, May 5, 2025, at 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. as a hybrid meeting in person in Holyoke, MA at Holyoke Heritage State Park, 221 Appleton Street, Holyoke, MA 01040.
Written comments preferred by 5/19 by email or email attachment to [email protected]
Slide deck and Staff Straw Proposal(s) not yet publicly available.

The EFSB is also soliciting written comments on the EFSB Permitting Dashboard.
Written comments preferred by 5/19 by email or email attachment to [email protected]
Please read the following request for comments for more information and specific questions to answer: Questions in English
Translations available from the Stakeholder Session main page.

ATTENDING THE SESSIONS REMOTELY
Remote attendees for all sessions can join by clicking this link from a computer, tablet, or smart device.
For audio-only participation attendees can dial in at (646) 828-7666 (not a toll-free number) and
then enter the Webinar ID:161 000 0543.

SENDING WRITTEN COMMENTS
EFSB, DPU, DOER, and OEJE also welcome written comments on the straw proposals.
Written comments on each topic will be most useful if submitted two weeks after the relevant stakeholder session (i.e., latest by May 19, 2025 for the topics from Stakeholder Session 4).

Any person seeking to comment must file their comments by email or email attachment sent to the following email addresses: [email protected].

updates since february 2025

28 March 2025 - EFSB Public Hearing ANNOUNCED April 29, 2025. Written Comments due May 13, 2025.
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.

history

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

frequently asked questions

WHO?
... is proposing this project? Jupiter Power, LLC., Westfield ESS, LLC.
... are the decision making authorities for this project? Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB)

WHAT?
... 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." (See Maps below.)

WHERE?
... are they proposing to build this Battery Energy Storage project?
On Medeiros Way in Westfield, Massachusetts. See Maps below.

WHY?
... is this such a bad idea?
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 below).

maps

Project Location, from DPU EFSB Project Page.

Project Layout of proposed Streamfield, from DPU EFSB Project Page.

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. Made in MassMapper.

USGS Topographic Map of Westfield, MA, from MassMapper. Starting in the South/Southwest and moving clockwise around to the Southeast, Westfield is surrounded by: Sodom Mountain, Drake Mountain, Seymour Mountain, Bad Luck Mountain, East Sweetman Mountain, Sweetman Mountain, Cobble Mountain, Westfield Mountain, Russell Mountain, Tekoa Mountain, Ball Mountain, Lizzie Mountain, Grindstone Mountain, Whiteloaf Mountain, "East Mountain" (the ridge of peaks between Westfield and Holyoke), Provin Mountain, and Huckleberry Mountain (down in Southwick at the border with CT), Along with many named and unnamed hills.

Westfield via MassDEP's Cumulative Impact Analysis Mapping Tool

2020 Environmental Justice Populations in Westfield, MA, from MassMapper.

public hearing flyers

Virtual Public Hearing for Energy Facilities Siting Board - April 2025

Streamfield Energy Storage Facility Flyer - January 2023

Public Hearing for Jupiter Power's Permit for Streamfield Energy Storage Facility Flyer - Dec 2024

Streamfield Energy Storage Facility Flyer - June 2024

links to media coverage

Westfield Battery Storage Project

On Friday, April 25 2025 Westfield ESS, llc withdrew their BESS Project petition before the Energy Facilities Siting Board from consideration.