RIC Development Proposes 5MW Battery Storage Facility in Cambria Amid Local Opposition
RIC Development LLC plans to install a 5MW AC battery storage system in Cambria on an 18-acre site at 5147 Lockport Road. The project involves six Tesla Megapack 2XL battery cabinets, covering 7,000 to 8,000 square feet, with associated infrastructure including a new driveway and landscaping.
The company is seeking a use variance, as current local regulations restrict standalone battery projects over 1 MW. The proposed lithium iron phosphate batteries are claimed to be safer than traditional lithium-ion batteries.
The Niagara County Planning Board has unanimously opposed the variance request due to safety concerns, referencing a past battery fire in California. A public hearing by the Cambria Zoning Board of Appeals remains open, with community members expressing opposition to the project, emphasizing the need to maintain the town's rural character.
