.png)
Brighton, Monroe County — Grid Connected Infrastructure (GCI Energy), an Ithaca-based energy storage company, is proposing the first large-scale battery energy storage facility for the Rochester area. The 100-megawatt facility, designed to power approximately 100,000 homes, would be constructed on an 18-acre site in western Brighton along Brighton Henrietta Town Line Road near Mortimer Avenue, according to reporting by WXXI News published December 29, 2025.
The project represents a significant infrastructure investment for Monroe County, as energy storage becomes increasingly critical to grid reliability and renewable energy integration across New York State.
The proposed facility would occupy approximately 5 acres of the 18-acre site, with GCI Energy offering to preserve the remaining mostly wooded acreage as open space and make in-lieu-of-tax payments to the town. The developer is also proposing a one-time $250,000 cash payment, though Brighton Town Supervisor Bill Moehle indicated that negotiations will likely increase this amount.
The battery storage cells would be sealed inside 66 tractor-trailer-sized, fan-cooled containers and surrounded by a security fence topped with barbed wire. According to the proposal, the facility would resemble a small extension of the nearby electrical substation. The facility requires proximity to major transmission infrastructure—a key advantage of the selected site, as two significant transmission lines run directly through the area at the end of Mortimer Avenue.
Brighton Town Supervisor Bill Moehle noted the location's strategic importance: "This is a large one. And the location is particularly well suited ... from an infrastructure perspective, because there are two significant transmission lines that go right through that area."
This project aligns with New York State's ambitious energy storage goals. The state has set a target of 6 gigawatts of installed energy storage capacity by 2030, aiming to boost grid reliability and facilitate greater integration of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power.
Energy storage facilities are becoming increasingly common across the nation, often paired with renewable energy installations but also as stand-alone projects like this one in Brighton. As New York transitions toward cleaner energy and renewable integration, battery storage serves as a critical link between variable renewable generation and consistent grid supply.
Brighton's location at the intersection of major transmission lines makes it an ideal location for such infrastructure. According to experts, "the research thus far indicates it is best to let a battery fire burn, and does not point to any clear risk to either health or ground water," addressing community concerns about safety.
Martin Plass, director of energy storage testing at Rochester Institute of Technology, emphasized the safety record of modern lithium-ion batteries. "The current technology is really lithium ion," Plass said. "The U.S. is trying to build up some manufacturing infrastructure for that. But essentially that's where these cells are coming from. And they build so many, there's a lot of experience by now with these cells to make them fairly safe."
The town board will hold a public hearing on December 30, 2025, to gather community input on the proposed facility. Town officials have made it clear that negotiations on the terms—including financial incentives and land preservation—are still ongoing.
Brighton has implemented "incentive zoning," which allows the town to customize project requirements based on specific community needs. Town Supervisor Moehle stated: "Nothing is final yet, but we've told them it needs to be more than that, $250,000. And it will be. And we've told them that we want the fee title to the rest of the land."
If approved, GCI Energy would likely proceed with construction, though no timeline has been announced. The developer has committed to providing firefighter and ambulance worker training to prepare emergency responders for any potential incidents.
GCI Energy also lists offices in Rochester and North Carolina in addition to its Ithaca headquarters, demonstrating the company's commitment to the region.
While battery storage is crucial infrastructure, some communities have raised concerns about safety. Recent fires at battery facilities in other parts of New York have prompted state-level changes to fire codes effective in 2026. However, these incidents remain extremely rare.
A battery facility in Warwick, Orange County, caught fire in both 2023 and 2024, leading to a moratorium on new installations. Similarly, the City of Syracuse pushed its consideration of a 10-megawatt storage facility into 2026 as neighbors and officials raised questions about potential fire risks.
Despite these concerns, experts indicate that modern lithium-ion battery technology is well-established and safety mechanisms are in place. As Rochester and Monroe County continue to modernize their energy infrastructure, projects like the Brighton battery storage facility represent the future of grid reliability and renewable energy integration.
For more information on New York's energy storage goals and infrastructure investments, visit the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
GCI Energy's proposal continues the region's focus on infrastructure modernization alongside renewable energy adoption—a critical combination as New York works toward its clean energy targets for 2030.
Governor Hochul allocates $300M for Monroe County/Rochester in 2027 state budget. $225M for Rochester-Monroe Transformation Initiative, $75M for High Falls State Park. Aims to drive job creation and economic development.
Rochester optics manufacturer Sydor acquires Vertex Optics, doubles capacity with 100,000-sq-ft facility expansion. New plant opens summer 2027, construction begins spring 2026. First acquisition in company history.
French company Reju launches $390M textile-to-textile regeneration hub at Eastman Business Park in Rochester. 145,000-sq-ft facility will recycle 300M clothing items annually, creating 70 jobs.
.svg)
