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ARTICLE · 22 APRIL 2025

Advancing Environmental Justice Through Battery Energy Storage

Foley Hoag LLP
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Battery energy storage systems (or "BESS") have the potential to balance the intermittent and non-dispatchable characteristics of renewable resources as those resources...

United StatesEnergy and Natural Resources
Kevin Chen
Kevin Chen
Lexi Neilan
Lexi Neilan
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Battery energy storage systems (or "BESS") have the potential to balance the intermittent and non-dispatchable characteristics of renewable resources as those resources become an increasing part of generation portfolios. Using BESS in conjunction with solar or wind power generation improves system reliability and helps stabilize the grid while decreasing society's reliance on fossil fuels. BESS also have the potential to ensure the transition to renewable energy sources advances environmental justice ("EJ") goals.

BESS may benefit EJ communities if battery storage facilities are constructed in place of retiring fossil fuel plants. Battery energy storage is expected to help phase out the use of "peaking" power plants (or "peaker" plants) in the journey to full decarbonization. Peaker plants generate electricity as needed to meet peak demand, yet they are also a source of substantial greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants. As BESS can offer similar grid

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