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Resident raises safety concerns about battery energy storage at call to public
Summary
A member of the public urged the commission to fully disclose hazardous‑materials risks posed by battery energy storage systems, citing thermal‑runaway fire incidents and requesting accurate hazardous‑materials reporting on development applications.
During the commission’s call to public, Dan Baker provided comments concerning hazardous materials disclosures on certain development applications, specifically noting battery energy storage systems (BESS). He referenced recent BESS fires and said some applications had not correctly indicated that hazardous materials are present. Baker urged staff and the commission to require accurate hazardous materials reporting and to consider mitigation measures for thermal‑runaway fires, which he said can burn for extended periods and pose a risk to surrounding communities.
Staff acknowledged the comment; no formal agenda action followed. Baker recommended additional oversight and mitigation planning for projects that include large battery arrays and urged county coordination with local emergency responders and LEPC (Local Emergency Planning Committee) resources. The record shows this was a public comment; the commission did not take formal action at the meeting on the subject.
