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Board defers Harwood battery storage decision after hours of safety and water concerns
Summary
The King George Board of Supervisors held a public hearing on Open Road Renewables' Harwood battery energy storage facility and deferred a decision to Feb. 18 after extended public comment and detailed presentations on emergency response, water supply and monitoring plans.
The King George County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 4 heard a staff report and a lengthy public hearing on a proposed battery energy storage facility (BESS) from Open Road Renewables and Harwood Power, then voted to defer a final decision to the board's Feb. 18 meeting.
Kelly LaDuke, the county's community development director, told the board the project would sit on about 12 acres in an industrially zoned area near Route 301 and Washington Mill Road and requires a special-exception permit under section 3-4-3 of the county zoning ordinance. The planning commission recommended approval with conditions, LaDuke said.
Cyrus Tashicori, a Harwood Power representative, and energy-safety consultant Eric Wood of Energy Safety Response Group (ESRG) responded to firefighter and resident concerns by describing proposed safety measures, 24/7 remote monitoring, an on-site 30,000-gallon fire-support water tank, and commitments to annual training for local emergency responders. "We take this very…
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