Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Battery Storage Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Landowners present petitions, urge pause on proposed AES battery storage facility
Summary
Landowners delivered petitions and public comments asking Dubois County commissioners to pause a proposed AES battery storage facility, citing lack of project information, fire‑suppression and decommissioning concerns; the county says AES plans a stakeholder meeting and noted countywide zoning could block such projects.
Landowners and town officials urged Dubois County Commissioners on Nov. 3 to pause consideration of a proposed AES battery storage facility and demanded more public information and safety assurances.
Randy Bartelt presented petitions signed by numerous property owners opposed to the proposed Crossvine Solar/AES battery storage facility on 750 W and said residents want a moratorium while details are developed. Property owner Holly Bartelt Gogel told commissioners she had not received plans or timelines from AES and asked the board to "consider placing a pause/moratorium" on the project because of concerns about fire suppression, health and safety, and decommissioning funds.
Commissioner Chad A. Blessinger read information from AES indicating a stakeholder meeting will be held in November, though AES had not provided a date. Blessinger also told the meeting that countywide zoning could be used to prevent projects of this type, and he acknowledged that zoning remains a point of contention among landowners.
Town of Holland officials and residents amplified safety and communications concerns. Holland Town Council President Melanie Barrett said the town has not received information from AES and raised questions about emergency medical services and fire response near the proposed site. John Kaltenbacher, a Holland town board member, and other residents worried about evacuation plans for schools and daycares and who would fund cleanup if an incident occurred. Resident Dwayne Kaeck said he is unable to sell his home and has been unable to reach AES to discuss his concerns.
No action or moratorium was adopted at the Nov. 3 meeting. The commissioners tabled other solar‑related land use business (a separate variance request) for further review; AES information about a stakeholder meeting was read into the record.
