[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6111121,"mediaKeyId","2753281-fa8eb36e99506cfce8dc83f3fbdc343b","parentId",2753281,"title","Kerr County subregional planning group presses regulators on battery-storage safety, seeks coordination with ERCOT and LCRA","audioSeconds",2475,"startMs",4269000,"endMs",6744000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2753281-fa8eb36e99506cfce8dc83f3fbdc343b&start=4269&end=6744","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2753281-fa8eb36e99506cfce8dc83f3fbdc343b/thumbnail_4269000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6111121/Kerr-County/Texas/Kerr-County-subregional-planning-group-presses-regulators-on-battery-storage-safety-seeks-coordination-with-ERCOT-and-LCRA","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6111121-8d02de9293e37527800729c79f6b2153/orig.mp4?Expires=1770557729&Signature=fBujgvNKK39Vo2rhJSiG5G3czNC0e73CMvCGREREJVYL9RsqpkuhBBzqR0Q6OGCI5-QYKlMEg0UrCB5OxtaYdU7~Q8b1K8bGiWhhUIML2EoOV06mmMn5EMbwgAaqazs5~jdYlHuPXUAlBRSfnf63VNhNjo7lOf9eHiKJWDpnX7aD3YVKZPMsJoypjqtkdxeBPMbCFWbzCeendUBNbqoF44p-n7Gy2Ctj-Jp08HuKhSyJfsadbIGEJlUs3y1uGDXaYt8Rq46b8RgX6qHuBCTD0tk5tnxNqEr-dWykxn3~kt4Qab5hZd7aLBmIUFvwbIDKajmssJliM7xV1GqHv3mSDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kerr County, Texas","date","2025-03-24T19:20:05Z","article","County staff and commissioners updated the court on activity by the Hill Country Energy Subregional Planning Commission (SRPC), which has been actively sending coordination letters and pressing for state agency engagement on proposed battery energy storage projects near Kerr County.

The SRPC has sent coordination letters to the Public Utility Commission and ERCOT and followed up after receiving an initial response from the Lower Colorado River Authority indicating it did not consider itself obligated to coordinate. The commission’s position — discussed at the meeting — is that LCRA is a state agency under the statute that requires coordination and therefore should meet with counties about siting, safety and grid interconnection concerns.

Commissioners and SRPC members described technical and safety questions prompting the outreach. The group is calling for studies and agency engagement to assess the fire risk of large-scale lithium‑ion battery installations — specifically “thermal runaway” events — and potential contamination risks to the Edwards/Trinity aquifer systems from firefighting runoff or burning battery effluent.

Public commenters said developers have proceeded quickly on projects across county lines and asked the SRPC to press regulators for timely oversight. A member of the public attending a symposium in Austin reported the state’s legislative session has produced roughly 20 bills addressing BESS since members of the SRPC’s last meeting.

The SRPC reported it has asked the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to meet and explore whether a focused worst‑case‑scenario study of BESS thermal runaway is appropriate, and that TCEQ responded that it is willing to meet but typically does not regulate projects unless an air or water permit is required. Commissioners noted that even absent a statutory permitting trigger, TCEQ expertise could inform local planning.

Commissioner Holt (SRPC participant) and others said the commission will continue outreach to ERCOT, the PUC, LCRA and the TCEQ and encourage state lawmakers to advance bills that impose safety and siting requirements for BESS projects. The SRPC is also collecting and publicizing relevant standards — including NFPA 855 and Underwriters Laboratories battery standards — and seeking clarity about which standards apply and how they are enforced.

Why it matters: large BESS facilities can present complex fire, water‑quality and infrastructure questions that span local, regional and state authorities. The SRPC’s push for coordination seeks to ensure counties are informed and have a seat at the table as projects advance.

What’s next: the SRPC scheduled a follow‑up meeting for the coming week; commissioners asked staff to continue outreach and to share the SRPC letters and responses publicly on the SRPC website.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Kerr County Commissioners Court March 24, 2025 full","oneSentenceSummary","The Hill Country Energy Subregional Planning Commission update reported letters to PUC, ERCOT and LCRA and urged studies on battery‑energy storage system (BESS) fire risks and potential aquifer contamination; commissioners and public commenters flagged regulatory gaps and called for state action.","taxTitle","taxId",54243,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6111127,"Kerr County Commissioners approve contracts, permits and routine items; burn-declaration set to expire Thursday",6985,1295000,8280000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2753281-fa8eb36e99506cfce8dc83f3fbdc343b&start=1295&end=8280","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2753281-fa8eb36e99506cfce8dc83f3fbdc343b/thumbnail_1295000.jpg","/articles/6111127/Kerr-County/Texas/Kerr-County-Commissioners-approve-contracts-permits-and-routine-items-burn-declaration-set-to-expire-Thursday","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6111127-7985c820f655c6008289bf33c47c2d94/orig.mp4?Expires=1770557729&Signature=jMIt8VifNfYV9ByadcsWbuwynogEdVESCO9iyNKu2vgJVPmOBu7rlSYLgaHkUMnDXOTYiRswDtg~gvYN8PnIGLP~BBwd2Oj4T8MJuCi5YMT1GCP~7wSDyWHNidmfc2C2Q~XxjY0pnO8FYVkHnj5nXcbZkxjOp0TCNTow~A0aRzSjPK5IwknLIil-cS7-19SsPaBwaJ0IqEYXOc-lwOZqUc7tLNN3FJ8gFHAzwzD-mt5fQgFP7DUmEPnKvdUgiTfYuv6UGzBsRvSpRmTidrAI2EXvSI3eol3-aCzv2eNKOprVfAOJGHbQMbmSyOeS0eY17h3EoC-Sax35z9V8DhwEDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kerr County Commissioners on Monday approved a series of routine and project-specific actions including facility contracts, event permits, procurement authorizations and budget items, and set a deadline to revisit a countywide disaster declaration related to wildfire risk.

The court voted unanimously on a number of items including approval for use of the courthouse grounds for the National Day of Prayer on May 1, a general contract with PetroSwift LLC to repair the Ingram Boat Dock in Precinct 4, a July 19 truck-only car show at Flat Rock Park, acceptance of $520 in donations to Kerr County Animal Services for February 2025, and acceptance of the 26th District Attorney’s 2024 racial profiling report. The court also approved reissuing a request for qualifications (RFQ) for engineering services tied to hazard mitigation grants for volunteer fire department generators.

The court approved a sole-source designation for Shider Tech LLC to supply automated license-plate reader (ALPR) equipment under a Stone Garden grant, a 5-year lease for a 1-ton truck with a landscaper’s dump bed for Road & Bridge, and the surplusing and planned May 10 auction of old Road & Bridge equipment. Two grant resolutions were amended to reflect changed grant numbers from the Office of the Governor.

The court set public hearings for two plat revisions (Kerrville South 2 Lot 16 and Elm Pass Ranch No. 2 lots) and approved minor interlocal housekeeping items for the Hill Country Subregional Planning Commission. It also appointed a commissioner (Tom Jones) to perform the investigation required under Texas Health and Safety Code §751.005 related to a mass-gathering permit for an April event and appointed a county representative to the Hill Country Regional Public Defender’s Office oversight committee.

On administrative items the court adopted a proposed FY2025–26 budget calendar; approved six budget amendments and payment of $1,880,399.20 in invoices presented Monday; approved adding an IT intern from Schreiner University to the county’s program; and authorized adding Cynthia Hernandez to the OASIS benefits portal as an administrator.

After discussion about wildfire risk, the court amended a motion to allow the judge’s disaster declaration that prohibits outdoor burning to remain in effect through Thursday morning, at which time the declaration will expire unless the judge renews it. Commissioners reiterated precinct-level authority to adopt or continue burn bans and said they would re-impose stricter restrictions if emergency management presents new concerns.

Several administrative and procedural changes were approved: the court voted to adopt a new process to maintain official recordings and records for Commissioners Court meetings and for juvenile, mental-health and probate dockets using electronic recordings supplemented by periodic certified shorthand court-reporter coverage for contested matters; and the court authorized staff to proceed with contract and procurement paperwork noted in the agenda packets.

Votes at a glance (selected items)
• Agenda 1.1 — Approve National Day of Prayer use of courthouse grounds (motion passed, unanimous)
• 1.2 — Approve general contract with PetroSwift LLC for Ingram Boat Dock (passed, unanimous)
• 1.3 — Approve truck-only car show at Flat Rock Park, July 19 (passed, unanimous)
• 1.4 — Accept donated bronze plaque from the Alamo Letter Society for courthouse grounds (passed, unanimous)
• 1.5 — Accept $520 in donations to Animal Services for Feb. 2025 (passed, unanimous)
• 1.6 — Accept 26th DA Racial Profiling Report (passed, unanimous)
• 1.7 — Reissue RFQ for engineering services (passed, unanimous)
• 1.8 — Sole-source designation for Shider Tech LLC (ALPRs) — $54,000 (passed, unanimous)
• 1.11 — Appoint commissioner (Tom Jones) to investigate mass-gathering permit per Tex. Health & Safety Code §751.005 (passed, unanimous)
• 1.12 — Appoint commissioner to Hill Country Regional Public Defender’s Office Oversight Committee (passed, unanimous)
• 1.17 / 1.18 — Set public hearings for two plat revisions (April 28 public hearings set) (passed, unanimous)
• 1.19 — Approve 5‑year lease for 1-ton truck with landscaper’s dump bed (passed, unanimous)
• 1.20 — Surplus Road & Bridge equipment and schedule auction (passed, unanimous)
• 1.21 — Approve FY2025–26 budget calendar (passed, unanimous)
• 1.22 — Adopt electronic recording process for court and dockets, keep court-reporter safety net for contested matters (passed, unanimous)
• 1.23 — Amended motion: countywide disaster declaration to remain in force through Thursday morning, at which time it will expire unless renewed (passed, unanimous)
• 1.24 — Add Cynthia Hernandez to TAC OASIS benefit portal (passed, unanimous)
• 1.25 / 1.26 — Amend grant-resolution numbers for two governor’s grants (passed, unanimous)
• 1.27 — Approve Schreiner University intern for IT (passed, unanimous)
• 2.1 / 2.2 — Approve six budget amendments and payment of presented invoices ($1,880,399.20) (passed, unanimous)

Most votes were taken by voice or show of hands and recorded as unanimous; no roll-call tallies with individual yes/no votes were recorded in the minutes provided.","At its March meeting the Kerr County Commissioners Court approved a set of routine and project-specific items — from a boat-dock contract and park use permits to procurement and grant housekeeping — and amended its disaster order to expire Thursday morning unless renewed. Several items were unanimous.","actionData","errors"]

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Kerr County subregional planning group presses regulators on battery-storage safety, seeks coordination with ERCOT and LCRA

Kerr County Commissioners approve contracts, permits and routine items; burn-declaration set to expire Thursday