Residents urge pause on battery energy storage projects; commissioners note pending appeals
Summary
Several community members urged Skagit County to pause approvals for lithium‑ion battery energy storage projects, citing thermal‑runaway fires and toxic‑release concerns; the county indicated one site is under appeal and staff are limited in public comment on ongoing appeals.
Multiple residents used the public‑comment period Tuesday to urge county officials to halt or more tightly regulate proposed battery energy storage system (BESS) projects in Skagit County, citing fires at other U.S. facilities, potential toxic releases and short project lifespans.
Speakers and claims: Amanda Toscano asked commissioners to review recent California legislation that would pause new BESS construction to address thermal‑runaway fire risks, saying Washington should “stop this before it gets started.” Ingrid Hinton, speaking for a local advocacy group called Stewards of Skagit, described concerns about toxic metals and microplastics released in BESS fires and said cooling and maintenance needs expose facilities to moisture‑related deterioration.
County status and process notes: Commissioners responded that an appeal is already pending for a proposed Mount Vernon‑area site on Novanel Road; because that matter may return to the board, commissioners said they were constrained from discussing substantive details for the project at Tuesday’s meeting. The board did not take regulatory action on BESS projects during the session.
What speakers requested: Commenters asked the county to consider moratoria or temporary pauses, adopt stronger siting and environmental‑health review standards, and evaluate long‑term risks to farmland, wildlife and public health.
What the county can and cannot do now: County staff and commissioners noted legal limits on discussing pending appeals and said the county’s review process will follow applicable land‑use, environmental and public‑safety regulations. Commissioners asked staff to provide updates consistent with legal constraints and to report back when appeals or permit decisions are ripe for public discussion.
No immediate policy change: The meeting record shows public concern and a request for more active county policy consideration; the commission took no immediate action to impose a pause or new standards during the session.
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