Civic Engagement & Community Action

HCAC encourages informed, respectful, and structured participation in local decision-making processes related to development, safety, and planning in Hauppauge.

Community Letter of Concern

Residents may sign the official HCAC Community Letter outlining key safety, environmental, and siting concerns related to the proposed BESS project.

This letter reflects the principles outlined in our Initial Statement of Concern

Sign the Letter

Download the Letter (PDF)

Contact Elected & Appointed Officials

Residents have the right to communicate directly with town officials, planning boards, and regulatory agencies regarding matters that impact the community.

Assembly Bill A08378

https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=A08378

This bill moves approval of large battery energy storage facilities (25 MW and up) from local towns and planning boards to a state fast-track permitting process under ORES, reducing local land-use control.

Senate Bill S5506

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S5506

This bill makes the same change at the state level, allowing large battery storage projects to bypass local zoning and municipal approval through the ORES process.

If these bills pass, Hauppauge will lose the ability to say NO to massive industrial battery facilities — including the proposed lithium-ion BESS near our schools, homes, and fire districts.

Local land-use authority overridden by Albany

Community input minimized

Hauppauge safety concerns ignored

If A08378 / S5506 pass, the Hauppauge BESS project becomes a DONE DEAL.

THIS IS HOW WE STOP IT

Email EACH decision-maker separately (2–3 minutes per email)
Use the same sample message for each email — no rewriting needed
Be respectful but firm
Forward this to neighbors, friends, firefighters, local businesses, and school communities

WHY EMAIL WORKS

Emails are logged, tracked, and reported to legislators
Staff count volume, not length
One clear email creates real legislative pressure

GENERIC EMAIL TEMPLATE — SEND TO SENATORS

Subject: Oppose S5506 – Protect Local Control (Send to Senators ONLY)

Hello,

My name is ___ and I live in ___ (town/city).

I am writing to oppose Senate Bill S5506.

This bill strips local land-use authority by fast-tracking large battery energy storage facilities under the state ORES process. Decisions that impact public safety, schools, and neighborhoods must remain with local towns and planning boards.

Please oppose S5506 and support local control.

Thank you,

GENERIC EMAIL TEMPLATE — SEND TO ASSEMBLY MEMBERS

Subject: Oppose A08378 – Protect Local Control

Hello,

My name is ___ and I live in ___ (town/city).

I am writing to oppose Assembly Bill A08378.

Please oppose A08378 and support local control.

Thank you,

HAUPPAUGE-SPECIFIC EMAIL (For Monica Martinez & Michael Fitzpatrick)

Subject: Hauppauge Resident Opposing A08378 / S5506

Hello,

I am a Hauppauge resident writing to oppose A08378 / S5506.

These bills would override local zoning and planning authority and move large battery storage siting into a state fast-track process under ORES. Given the proposed lithium-ion battery project in Hauppauge, this legislation directly impacts our community, schools, and first responders.

Hauppauge must retain the right to make land-use decisions locally.

I urge you to oppose both bills.

Thank you,

SENATE CONTACTS — S5506

Senator Brian Kavanagh (Sponsor)

Phone: (212) 298-5565
Email: kavanagh@nysenate.gov

Senator Patricia Fahy (Co-Sponsor)

Phone: (518) 455-2225
Email: fahy@nysenate.gov

Senator Robert Jackson (Co-Sponsor)

Phone: (518) 455-2041
Email: jackson@nysenate.gov

Senator Rachel May (Co-Sponsor)

Phone: (315) 478-8745
Email: may@nysenate.gov

Senator Christopher Ryan (Co-Sponsor)

Phone: (518) 455-3511
Email: chrisryan@nysenate.gov

Senator Monica Martinez (Hauppauge’s State Senator)

Phone: (631) 341-7111
Email: martinez@nysenate.gov

ASSEMBLY CONTACTS — A08378

Assemblymember Dana Levenberg (Sponsor)

Phone: (914) 941-1111
Email: levenbergd@nyassembly.gov

Assembly member Karines Reyes (Co-Sponsor)

Phone: (718) 931-2620
Email: reyesk@nyassembly.gov

Assembly member Michael Fitzpatrick (Hauppauge Assembly member)

Phone: (631) 360-3356
Email: fitzpatrickm@nyassembly.gov

Public Comment Preparation Form

This form does not replace official public comment submission to the Town.
It is intended to help residents organize their comments and, if requested, allow HCAC to share consolidated concerns with appropriate agencies.

Volunteer With HCAC

HCAC operates through structured coordination and defined outreach efforts. We invite professionals and community members to contribute their skills within a formal framework of operational excellence.