Eastchester residents rally against planned construction of lithium-ion battery plant
The lithium battery plant is set to be built in a lot surrounded by residential buildings and auto shops.
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Residents in Eastchester were called to action on Saturday to stop a planned lithium-ion battery plant from being built on De Lavall Avenue.
News 12 has reported on dozens of fires caused by e-bikes using these batteries. Stephanie Liggio is scared that a plant this big will cause worse results.
"You're putting a very dangerous, toxic plant in the middle of people's lives. This corridor would be shut down in an event of an explosion here in this building," said Stephanie Liggio.
The lithium battery plant is set to be built in a lot surrounded by residential buildings and auto shops.
"You have a school, a housing development behind that and a neighborhood," said Liggio
David Oppizzi's business is right across the street from the proposed plant.
"It concerns me...I thought it was just a Con Edison boosting plant that will just boost the power, but I mean I'm totally against it now," he said.
News 12 contacted NineDot Energy, the developer for the plant. It declined to go on camera about the neighborhood's concerns. In a statement, the company said the safety of the community is their top priority and their plant will follow the safety protocols set by the FDNY.
But the neighborhood does not feel this is an improvement for the area.
"This is not the financial revitalization that The Bronx needs. We need other revitalization – not something that is going to hurt the people here," said Liggio.
NineDot said the project is in it’s developmental stage. No timeframe for building has been announced.
