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Residents urge scrutiny of proposed battery storage site near Granbury schools and childcare
Summary
Residents of Pecan Plantation told the Hood County Commissioners Court that a reported 200-megawatt battery energy storage project near Mambrino Highway would be too close to a childcare center and an elementary school, and urged stronger inspection authority for the county fire marshal.
Cindy Highsmith, a Pecan Plantation resident, told the Hood County Commissioners Court on April 22 that she is "concerned" about a reported 200-megawatt battery energy storage project at 2625 Mambrino Highway, which she said is about 0.2 miles from Rainbow's Promise childcare, about 1.2 miles from Mambrino Elementary and roughly 1 mile from Mambrino Baptist Church. "Am I concerned? Yeah," she said, asking the court to give the fire marshal "every tool he needs to inspect these" battery energy storage systems.
Highsmith said she found references online that the project was acquired in 2024 by VITUS Energy and that it may be adjacent to the Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant. She expressed particular worry after reviewing reports of large battery fires elsewhere and noted uncertainty about operator experience: "I can make a website too. It's not hard. I can make it look good too. Well, I can see this is their first project. That concerns me." The court did not announce any immediate regulatory action during the public comment period.
Clayton Holmes, also of Pecan Plantation, later told the court he attended a mitigation-planning presentation and described emergency-response challenges around battery storage sites, adding concerns about ongoing noise, lighting and wildlife displacement for neighbors. "I'm miles away from the data center, and I can hear the data center. So the battery storage is gonna be much closer to me," Holmes said.
County staff responded during the public comment period that the fire marshal will review codes and that inspectors will follow up on installations. No permit, variance or land-use item for the specific Mambrino Highway site was before the court during the April 22 meeting; residents said they wanted the court to prioritize economic development that brings a broader mix of employers to Precinct 2 and to ensure county oversight for public-safety risks.
What happens next: Commissioners did not vote on regulatory changes at the meeting. Residents asked the court to direct staff to make sure the fire marshal has inspection authority and resources; any formal changes or conditions would require future agenda action.
