Middle Village Residents Association

06/25/2026

Call to Action: Demand Transparency from NineDot Energy

On June 12, I emailed Pooja Goyal and David Gluck—board members connected to both NineDot Energy and Carlyle Group—requesting a meeting regarding the proposed NineDot battery storage facility near PS 128. I have yet to receive a response.

Our community deserves transparency. I encourage everyone to stay informed, read my op-ed, "The Other 800-Pound Gorilla," and respectfully contact these board members to urge them to meet with the community and discuss NineDot's plans for the site, including safety and decommissioning plans.

Contact:

Pooja Goyal – [email protected]
David Gluck – [email protected]

If NineDot wants to build in our neighborhood, it should be willing to engage with the people who will be affected by its decisions.

******
Email Sent on June 12 by MVPORA to Ninedot and Carlyle Group Board Members

Dear Pooja and David,

I am reaching out on behalf of a local civic organization regarding the lithium battery energy storage facility that NineDot Energy is seeking to construct on 69th Place in Middle Village, Queens.

As a community, we are increasingly concerned by what appears to be a lack of meaningful engagement from NineDot Energy with local residents and property owners. The limited responsiveness to questions from informed community members has raised concerns about how future issues affecting the neighborhood would be addressed if this project moves forward.

Given Carlyle's financial support of NineDot Energy and your leadership roles with both organizations, we felt it appropriate to contact you directly in hopes of facilitating a constructive dialogue between NineDot and concerned members of our community.

Several issues remain unresolved, including:

Noise mitigation measures and operational impacts on nearby residents.
The aesthetic appearance of the facility and whether an overhead canopy will be incorporated into the design.
Financial assurances for the long-term removal and safe decommissioning of the battery system should NineDot Energy cease operations in the future.
The establishment of a financial bond dedicated to battery removal and environmental remediation, if necessary.
Whether such a bond could be held by a local banking institution and made available for public review to ensure that adequate funds remain in place throughout the life of the project.
These concerns are particularly important given the proximity of the proposed facility to homes and a school located directly across the street. Residents want assurance that the community will not be left responsible for the costs or environmental risks associated with the removal of potentially hazardous battery equipment if the operating entity no longer exists.

There are several additional questions that we would like to discuss, but our primary request is for a civil and productive meeting between representatives of NineDot Energy and concerned members of the Middle Village community.

We appreciate your time and consideration and look forward to your response.

Thank you,

Paul Pogozelski
President, Middle Village Residents Association (MVRA)
917-335-2802

06/18/2026

I want to thank the Queens Ledger and reporter Patrick Stachniak for continuing to shine a light on the issues that matter most to Middle Village residents.

At our recent MVRA meeting with the MTA regarding the Interborough Express, the discussion once again turned to the NineDot battery energy storage project. One of the key concerns raised by residents was the absence of a required decommissioning bond for facilities of this kind. Residents deserve clear assurances that, at the end of a project’s lifespan—or in the event a developer is no longer operating—there are guaranteed funds in place for safe removal and cleanup, without leaving the burden on taxpayers.

Please Read more : https://queensledger.com/2026/06/17/we-can-still-mold-this-middle-village-rez-discuss-ibx-with-mta/queensledger.com/2026/06/17/we-can-still-mold-this-middle-village-rez-discuss-ibx-with-mta/

This is not about being against progress, but about making sure it is done responsibly, transparently, and with proper safeguards for our community. We will continue pushing for accountability and working to ensure Middle Village’s voice is heard every step of the way.

Thank you to Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr. for your insights on both the IBX and the NineDot BESS location, and for taking the time to speak directly with the audience during the meeting.

BY PATRICK STACHNIAK | [email protected] Members of the Middle Village Property Owners and Residents Association (MVRA) met at Our Lady of Hope with special guests: Project Manager Jordan Smith and the rest of the team currently designing the Interborough Express (IBX). The new rail line aims to...

06/17/2026

BATTERY STORAGE FACILITY 64-30 69TH PLACE, MV 11379
Who Is NineDot?
• NineDot Energy was launched in 2021.
• The company grew out of an earlier energy-development business founded by the same leadership team.
• The name "NineDot" comes from the classic puzzle that promotes "thinking outside the box."
Who Backs NineDot?
• NineDot received major backing from global investment firm Carlyle.
• Carlyle manages hundreds of billions of dollars in assets and has had representation connected to NineDot's governance through board participation.
Expansion Plans
• NineDot has publicly discussed plans to build dozens of battery-storage projects throughout New York City and surrounding communities.
• The company continues to expand its development footprint across the region.
Questions Residents May Wish to Ask
• If 9 Dot is unwilling to attend community meetings before becoming our neighbor, why should residents have any confidence that the company will be responsive when problems, complaints, or emergencies arise after the project is operational?
• What specific fire-safety systems, suppression technologies, and emergency-response procedures will be in place, and have they been independently reviewed and approved by local emergency services?
• Why has 9 Dot chosen not to staff this facility with on-site technicians, and how can the company justify operating a potentially high-risk facility remotely? What is the expected response time when a system failure, fire, or other emergency occurs?
• What is 9 Dot's legally binding plan for the facility once it reaches the end of its useful life, and who will ensure that those obligations are fulfilled?
• Has 9 Dot secured a decommissioning bond, irrevocable letter of credit, or other financial guarantee sufficient to cover the full cost of dismantling the facility and restoring the site without burdening taxpayers or neighboring property owners?
• If 9 Dot ceases operations, declares bankruptcy, or abandons the project, who will be legally and financially responsible for cleanup, removal, environmental remediation, and any associated costs?
• What public subsidies, tax incentives, grants, abatements, or other forms of government assistance are being provided to support this project, and what is the total value of those benefits?
• Given the potential impacts on nearby residents, what measurable and enforceable community benefits will 9 Dot provide in return, and why should the community support this project if those benefits are limited or nonexistent?

Contact: [email protected]
https://nine.energy/connect

2 BESS Sites in Maspeth
· 57–77 Rust Street, Maspeth, NY
• Location: 57–77 Rust Street, Maspeth, New York.
• Operator: Microgrid Networks
• Financing/Investment: SER Capital Partners (California-based infrastructure investment firm).
· 59-40 55th Drive, Maspeth, NY
• Location: 59-40 55th Drive, Maspeth, New York.
• Operator/Project Entity: Soltage through its 55 Drive BESS project subsidiary.
• Financing/Ownership: Igneo Infrastructure Partners, an infrastructure investment manager with offices in New York, London, and Sydney.

06/10/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended our meeting last night!

We'd like to extend our appreciation to Detective Berish and Officer Gonzalez for taking the time to address residents and answer questions from the audience.

A special thank you to the MTA for coming to our community, presenting information on the proposed IBX line, and listening to concerns from residents regarding the project, including the proposed two stops in Middle Village. We appreciate their willingness to answer questions and take notes on the issues raised by the community.

Thank you also to Senator Addabbo for addressing residents' concerns regarding both the IBX project and the proposed battery energy storage facility near PS 128. If you haven't already done so, please visit the Senator's website and complete the IBX survey. Encourage your friends and neighbors to participate as well—it's important that our community's voice is heard.

A special thank you to Daniel Heredia of the Community Board 5 Land Use Committee for speaking with residents and highlighting the importance of community involvement. Daniel reminded everyone that staying informed, attending meetings, and making your voice heard are critical to ensuring our neighborhood's interests are represented throughout the decision-making process.

We also want to thank Ara CheKmayan for an informative and in-depth presentation on NineDot Energy's proposed battery energy storage facility. The presentation provided valuable information and helped residents better understand the proposal and its potential impact on our neighborhood.

As a community, we must continue to push for greater transparency and engagement from NineDot Energy. Residents deserve answers, open communication, and meaningful involvement in decisions that affect our neighborhood.

More details will be coming soon as we begin an email campaign directed at NineDot's board members, financial partners, and government stakeholders. Our goal is simple: to ensure NineDot comes to the table, engages with our community, and provides the transparency our residents deserve.

Stay tuned for updates and ways to get involved.

FINAL THANK YOU TO FATHER PETER AND OUR LADY OF HOPE FOR PROVIDING THE VENUE. - GOD BLESS

06/08/2026

Join us Tuesday night as representatives from the MTA will be present to host a presentation on the IBX Line and discuss its impact on our neighborhood.

In addition, we will have an Ninedot deep dive, and Senator Addabbo will address the members of the MVPORA.

Tuesday, June 9, 2026
7:30 PM
Our Lady of Hope School – Middle Village

We encourage all residents and members to attend this important meeting and stay informed about projects affecting our community.

06/07/2026

“Connecting the "9" Dots

NineDot Energy was founded in December 2021, making it a relatively new entrant in large-scale battery storage development in New York City. Despite its short history, the company is advancing an aggressive buildout strategy tied to multiple urban energy storage projects across the city.

Public information indicates financial and strategic links to The Carlyle Group, including investment involvement and overlapping leadership connections. Carlyle manages approximately $477 billion in assets, positioning it as a major institutional backer.

NineDot Energy projects are financed through a blended structure that may include private equity, state programs (such as NYSERDA incentives), federal tax credits, and project-level financing. For example, one Bronx project reportedly received about $1.2 million in NYSERDA support.

The company currently lists 4 operating sites, 3 under construction, and has referenced ambitions for up to 50 total projects.

A key open question remains the extent of publicly disclosed long-term financial safeguards, including whether decommissioning bonds or equivalent financial assurance mechanisms are consistently in place across sites.

In short: a young company, backed by major capital, scaling quickly across NYC—while some long-term risk and accountability details remain less clearly disclosed.

Contact: [email protected]
https://nine.energy/connect

We’re currently seeing a pattern of one-on-one meetings and scripted statements, while engagement with civic groups and local public presentations remains notably absent from the process.

06/03/2026

MEETING ALERT : TUESDAY JUNE 9TH AT 7:30PM.
LOCATION: OUR LADY OF HOPE, MIDDLE VILLAGE NY 11379

06/01/2026

📢 COMMUNITY MEETING ALERT

An MTA representative will join us to present on the IBX line and answer questions from attendees. A respectful and constructive discussion will be expected.

We will also conduct a deep dive into the proposed 9dot battery facility, including project funding, the approval process, and concerns about the project's continued advancement despite significant community opposition.

Join us to stay informed and make your voice heard.

TUESDAY JUNE 9TH, 7:30 PM @ OUR LADY OF HOPE

05/07/2026

** Meeting Alert **
Join us Tuesday, June 9th at 7:30PM at Our Lady of Hope.
We already have one local hot-button issue presentation confirmed, which will include a brief Q&A session led by the presenters, and local elected officials will be on hand to address the audience.
We’ll be covering several important topics, including:
- The NineDot battery storage facility
- Hostile street takeovers in our community
- Homelessness and a recent uptick in suspected drug activity in residential areas
- Cyber Bullying and How to Deal With Known Antgonists
(And no — despite rumors, we won’t actually be spending the entire meeting on Saint Saviour’s )
All the Best Paul Pogozelski
We hope to see you there. Your voice matters!

04/28/2026

One of our members recently reported, with photos, that a homeless individual was sleeping on the corner of Furmanville Avenue and Dry Harbor Road in the business district. They contacted 311 and were informed that the Department of Homeless Services has been notified and will respond.

There have been several similar incidents reported at the park over the past few weekends. It appears we may be facing a challenging summer, with growing concerns about responsiveness and accountability. Many residents are beginning to question what the future holds for Middle Village—and the city as a whole.

At the same time, it’s important to recognize that the individual in this situation likely needs support. Access to safe shelter, along with expanded mental health services, should be a priority in future city budget discussions so that people can receive the help they need.

Our next meeting is scheduled for early June.