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Lancaster County postpones decision on proposed 20-acre battery storage project after safety and property concerns
Summary
After a two-hour public hearing on a proposed 20-acre battery energy storage system north of West Holdridge, commissioners postponed a vote to Feb. 24, 2026, citing substantial public safety, drainage and property-value concerns raised by neighbors and questions from staff about emergency plans and permitting.
The Lancaster County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 10 heard more than two hours of testimony on a special permit application for a battery energy storage system (BESS) proposed on roughly 20 acres north of West Holdridge Street near NW 140th Street and the NPPD substation. After presentations from county staff, the applicant and multiple residents, the board announced it would delay a decision and vote on Feb. 24, 2026.
Planning staff told the board the project meets Lancaster Countyregulations for the newly listed BESS land use but recommended conditions including an approved emergency action plan, screening and a surety tied to a voluntary decommissioning plan. "The applicant's own decommissioning plan . . . showed a cost of over $7,000,000 for decommissioning," Planning and Development Services representative George Wesselhawk said, noting the planning commission had added a surety requirement as a condition.
Developer representatives described the site and safety measures. "This is about a $240,000,000…
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