Yes in My Backyard: A Regional Leadership Summit on Solar and Battery Energy Storage

October 16, 2026 | 12:00–4:00 PM
Governors Island, New York City

Presented by the New York League of Conservation Voters, The New York Climate Exchange, Renewable Energy Long Island, Sustainable Westchester, and Sustainable Hudson Valley

New York’s energy future is being built in communities across the state. We invite you to join local leaders, policymakers, fire safety professionals, labor representatives, public health and environmental justice advocates, clean energy experts, and community stakeholders for a regional summit on the future of solar energy and battery energy storage systems (BESS) in New York.

Yes in My Backyard will bring together leaders from across sectors to explore how solar and battery storage can help New York meet its growing energy needs while strengthening reliability, affordability, public health, community resilience, and environmental justice.

Through expert panels and conversations, the Summit will highlight successful projects, emerging best practices, and the policies, partnerships, and investments needed to expand clean energy responsibly and affordably across New York.

Featured Conversations

Fire Safety & Design
Where a battery energy storage project is located and how it is designed are important parts of developing a safe facility. This panel will discuss why BESS projects are sited where they are, and take a closer look at the fire safety measures built into modern facilities. Fire safety and industry experts will discuss how BESS facilities are designed to prevent, detect, and respond to potential hazards, as well as the safety standards and testing requirements these systems must meet. 

Environmental Justice & Public Health
The clean energy transition presents an opportunity to build healthier, more resilient communities while addressing longstanding environmental inequities. Panelists will examine how battery storage and solar energy can improve public health, support cleaner air, and strengthen community resilience. The discussion will explore the role of BESS in enabling more renewable energy, supporting critical facilities such as hospitals and community health centers during outages, and ensuring that communities that have historically experienced the greatest environmental burdens can share in the benefits of the clean energy transition. 

Jobs & Career Pathways
The growth of battery energy storage is creating new opportunities for workers across New York, from construction and electrical trades to engineering, operations, and other skilled professions. Labor leaders, workforce experts, and industry representatives will highlight the career pathways and workforce investments needed to support the industry’s growth, including union apprenticeships and training programs. The conversation will explore opportunities for students and workers to build family-sustaining careers while strengthening local economies and preparing New York’s next generation of clean energy professionals. 

Innovations for Scale
Solar and battery energy storage are transforming New York’s energy landscape and creating new opportunities to build a more reliable and resilient grid. Hear from leaders involved in the energy transition at scales from community to industry.  Panelists will share key strategies for modernizing the grid to scale up renewables and storage, building public support with a narrative of choice and responsibility, and enacting local codes to guide BESS development.

RSVP

Space is limited, so we encourage you to RSVP early to reserve your spot.

We hope you’ll join us for an afternoon of conversation, collaboration, and practical solutions for building a safer, more reliable, and more equitable clean energy future in New York.

Accessibility & Transportation

The event venue is approximately a 15-minute walk from the Governors Island ferry landing. If you have a mobility limitation or otherwise need assistance traveling from the ferry to the event venue, golf cart transportation will be available upon request.