Residents press Dubois County to review AES battery‑storage permits, urge moratorium on future solar projects
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Summary
Residents and petitioners urged the Dubois County Commissioners to review permits and consider limiting future solar projects after safety, emissions and permit‑transparency concerns were raised about the proposed AES battery storage site; county staff said AES will provide fire‑suppression training and the board agreed to review permits.
Holly Bartelt Gogel presented petitions signed by residents opposing the proposed AES battery storage location and urged the county to stall further projects while safety questions are resolved. She said officials in Huntingburg’s zoning appeals board found Fluence batteries to be dangerous and warned that the community should not be used as “guinea pigs.”
Resident Jason Heile urged the commissioners to follow up on prior discussions, said the permit did not disclose the full land area to be used, and asked the board to consider revoking the Solar Park permit. Heile also raised concerns about ingress and egress and alleged inadequate public communication from AES. EMA Director Tammy Humbert said she met with AES and reported the company agreed to provide fire‑suppression training for local responders; Commissioner Blessinger provided a decommissioning plan for review.
Dave Duncan, who attended AES’s public meeting, highlighted concerns about gases released during thermal events and the potential for fires or explosions at battery storage facilities, citing emission details. Dr. Norma Kreilein, a pediatrician, questioned the scientific credibility of air‑quality analyses for the project and said she will return to a future meeting with more detailed findings.
County Attorney Gregory Schnarr advised the board that under state law the county cannot impose a moratorium on projects for which permits have already been issued; moratoriums apply only to future projects. Following public comment, the commissioners agreed by consensus to review the AES permit to ensure compliance and said they will consider whether a moratorium on future solar projects is warranted.
The board did not take formal action to revoke any permit at the Nov. 17 meeting. AES has held at least one public information meeting and told the county it plans additional community meetings; EMA staff and county engineers will continue permit and safety reviews.