Brooklyn Candidate Athena Clarke Warns of Lithium-Ion Battery Storage Risks

Residents of Brooklyn’s 46th District are raising the alarm over a planned lithium-ion battery storage facility slated for a residential neighborhood. Candidate for City Council Athena Clarke is speaking out, saying the project poses a serious risk to public safety and the environment.

Clarke issued a stark warning:

“Lithium-ion storage facilities are a hazard to the community. The energy stored within these batteries is unstable and can spontaneously combust, leading to explosions that could affect surrounding neighborhoods within a 5-mile radius. Not only is there no way to put these fires out, but once the fire is done burning, what will happen to the soil and the water? There has already been an incident like this in California. It is extremely disheartening to know that Mayor Adams has funded a structure like this in a residential area without doing the proper research to protect his constituents.”

A Growing Safety Concern

Lithium-ion batteries, widely used in electric vehicles and consumer electronics, can be highly volatile when stored in bulk. Fires sparked by thermal runaway have proven notoriously difficult to extinguish, often burning for days while releasing toxic chemicals. A similar incident in California left officials grappling with both immediate safety hazards and long-term environmental concerns.

Community Impact

District 46—which includes neighborhoods such as Canarsie, Bergen Beach, Gerritsen Beach, Marine Park, Mill Basin, and Sheepshead Bay—faces particular vulnerability. Families worry not only about potential explosions but also about what lingering contamination could mean for water, soil, and property values.

Accountability Demands

Critics argue that City Hall is fast-tracking battery storage projects without proper vetting. Clarke and other community members are calling for environmental studies, public hearings, and a reassessment of the project’s location.

“Brooklyn residents shouldn’t have to live next door to a potential firebomb,” Clarke said at the event. “Clean energy is important, but so is protecting the people who live here.”

The Debate Ahead

The controversy highlights the tension between meeting renewable energy goals and ensuring community safety. For District 46, the debate is no longer abstract—it’s about whether residents will be asked to bear the risks of a facility they never asked for.

“If you live in District 46, every dollar you give to Athena Clarke’s City Council campaign will be matched eight-to-one — and if you live elsewhere, your donation still directly fuels her fight to bring real change to NYC.” https://contribute.nycvotes.org/campaigns/athenaclarke/contributions/new