July 15th Informational Meeting planned in Angelica NY
A OPINION By Linda Cash & Bridgette Tojek, Co-Chairs, Stewarding Allegany County Natural Resources: A Shared Endeavor to Protect The Western New York Wilds
The breathtaking landscapes of Allegany County—our rolling hills, winding rivers, and dense forests—define who we are. They are not just scenery; they are our heritage, our responsibility, and our home. But preserving the Western NY Wilds requires more than admiration. It demands action.
As highlighted in the flyer, the call to “Join Our Efforts” is an invitation for every resident to step up. Protecting our natural resources cannot be left to chance. It is a collective responsibility, a shared endeavor that requires local voices, local hands, and local hearts. There is no room for apathy in this season. It’s either fight or flight, and we guardians have chosen to stand and fight.
Our Immediate Concern: Stop the BESS on Hess
Our most urgent threat is the proposed industrial Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on Hess Road. This lithium-ion installation poses potential severe risks of chemical fires, toxic smoke, and heavy metal leaks that could poison our private water wells, agricultural lands, and trout streams. We cannot allow our pristine environment to become an experiment for a private developer.
We must demand an immediate halt to all commercial industrial development projects in the Western NY Wilds until alternative modifications can be thoroughly explored and implemented to reach proper goals of mitigation. We must stand together to Stop the BESS on Hess.
Read our previous reporting on the “BESS on HESS below:
How You Can Help
Your community needs you right now. At our upcoming meeting, we will have petitions available to sign, and we desperately need volunteers to help us gather signatures throughout the county.
- Attend the Information Meeting: Mark your calendar for July 15 at 7 PM.
- Location: The meeting will be held at the Methodist Church Park Circle in Angelica, NY.
- Connect Online: Join our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Dtww8fdwU/ to stay updated on breaking news and community actions.
- Step Up: If you want to make a lasting impact, seek a leadership role with us to help guide our regional advocacy.
- Support the Cause: Financial donations are gratefully accepted to help cover printing and outreach costs; however, please note that we are currently in the process of filing for not-for-profit status, so contributions are not yet tax-deductible.
- Get in Touch: If you have questions or want to help gather signatures ahead of time, reach out to the organizers directly at Stewardingacnr@gmail.com.
“Become a Steward of Allegany County Natural Resources.”
Show up on July 15. Sign the petition, grab a signature sheet for your neighbors, and raise your voice. Let’s stand strong together to halt this industrial encroachment and keep Allegany the Western NY Wilds—for today, for tomorrow, and for generations to come.
“Two minds, one mission: protecting our resources today to secure our legacy tomorrow”
