The Pulaski County Advisory Plan Commission held a public hearing Thursday to take comment on an ordinance amendment that would place a moratorium on Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
According to the ordinance amendment, it states that the moratorium would allow the commission members to consider the implications of BESS when it comes to property line setbacks, size tiers or cutoffs, lighting and noise, decommissioning plan alterations, decommissioning fund requirements, site plan requirements, resource impact mitigation requirements, and other safety requirements.
Fourteen people spoke during the public hearing. All but one person was for a moratorium on BESS. They mentioned battery fire concerns, fire insurance costs, reported explosions, toxic fumes, safety concerns, emergency response, lithium ion battery concerns, environmental concerns, maximum acreage, the need for a risk benefit analysis study by an unbiased third party that would include a land use and agriculture impact, a property value study, infrastructure and utility study, an economic impact assessment, an environmental risk assessment, and community and social impact.
There were comments made by one supporter about moving the future of Pulaski County and to not impose a moratorium.
It was also noted that while there is mention of BESS in the county’s current ordinance, there are no current approved permits or proposed projects planned at this time. The members would like to research more into the systems and put guidelines in place that will be in the best interest of Pulaski County.
In the end, the commission members voted by a majority to recommend an 18-month moratorium on Battery Energy Storage Systems which was met by applause by the large crowd in attendance. Andrew Fritz abstained from the vote.
The recommendation now goes to the Pulaski County Commissioners for final approval.
