Developer outlines 199‑MW Wolf Creek battery project near Bonner Springs; officials ask about flood risk, decommissioning and community benefits

Accelergen Energy gave Leavenworth County Commissioners an overview of the proposed Wolf Creek Energy Storage Project, a utility‑scale battery energy storage system the developer says would tie into an Evergy substation about a mile northwest of Bonner Springs.

Project overview presented Project developer Lauren Kapke explained the proposed facility would be approximately 199 megawatts with a four‑hour duration (about 796 megawatt‑hours of capacity) on roughly a 30‑acre portion of a privately owned parcel adjacent to an Evergy substation. The company said it has a purchase option on the parcel, would seek a county special‑use permit for private utilities in the parcel's current zoning, and aims for a commercial operation date no earlier than late 2028 if construction begins in 2027. The firm described a 20‑year project life.

Developer estimates and community benefits Accelergen presented an estimate of a minimum $200 million local investment and projected roughly $19 million in property tax contributions over the 20‑year life of the project to county, school, township, library, and special districts. The company estimated about 115 construction jobs during build and two long‑term technical operations positions, said it would prioritize local hiring, and proposed an ongoing local scholarship fund and quarterly community donations during development and operations.

Safety, environmental and operational points discussed Kapke said the project will use lithium iron phosphate battery chemistry (a lithium‑ion subtype the company described as less prone to thermal runaway than other chemistries), with monitoring, fire detection/suppression, HVAC, and a battery management system. The company said safety features would include 24/7 remote monitoring, local operations staff within a 20–30 minute response window, on‑site fire‑detection and suppression systems, and coordination with the Fairmount Township Fire Department on emergency response planning.

Commissioner questions and staff follow‑up requests Commissioners and staff asked detailed follow‑up questions, including: - Floodplain and stormwater: staff and commissioners noted the southern parcel area is mostly within the county floodplain and asked how the project would be sited and drained; the developer said the battery footprint would be on higher ground outside the floodplain and that grading and stormwater basins would be used to manage runoff. - Decommissioning and bonding: the developer said a decommissioning cost estimate and bond or letter of credit would be developed to ensure the county would not be left with a derelict facility at end of life. - Noise, lighting and visual impacts: the company said enclosed containers produce some fan and transformer noise and that lights would be downward‑facing and motion activated; a noise study would be completed for permit review. - Emergency planning and hazardous materials: the developer said lithium iron phosphate chemistry was chosen for safety and that contingency and clean‑up procedures would be in the emergency plan; commissioners asked about potential leaks if containers were inundated and requested explicit mitigation strategies for water intrusion. - Road impacts: the company said construction traffic would be significant during build and minimal during operations and that the developer would agree to a road‑use agreement and pre/post road condition studies where needed.

Next steps Accelergen said it will begin neighborhood outreach and intends to invite neighbors to an information meeting later in the month, and that it hopes to file a special‑use permit application with the county before year end. Commissioners asked staff for additional data on floodplain mapping, traffic impacts, emergency response planning, and the proposed community benefit package for later review.