Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Environment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents and a doctor raise safety and environmental concerns about proposed battery storage and solar expansions
Summary
At the Jan. 20 meeting, Dr. Norma Kreilein urged caution about the AES battery storage facility in the Holland area; commissioners announced an AES Crossvine Solar public open house for Jan. 21 and said county staff has reached out to state agencies on installation requirements.
A pair of items at the Jan. 20 Dubois County Commissioners meeting focused on proposed solar and battery storage projects and community environmental concerns.
Dr. Norma Kreilein appeared via Teams to express environmental concerns about local pollution and to oppose the AES solar battery storage facility planned near Holland, saying the risks to the public are "serious" and providing banners for the board’s review. Resident Dave Duncan later thanked Kreilein and referenced a Pike County tour of a battery storage system as context for public interest.
Commissioner Chad Blessinger reported on a separate EDP Solar Phase II proposal moving south toward the Patoka River and said that, while a county moratorium is in place, the consensus during the moratorium period was not to grant approvals. Blessinger also announced an AES Crossvine Solar Project open house scheduled for Jan. 21 at the Huntingburg Event Center from 5:30–7:30 p.m. to provide more information to residents.
Separately, Blessinger said he has reached out to the Indiana Office of Energy Development and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to ask about installation requirements for battery storage facilities and is awaiting responses. The board did not take action on solar or battery approvals during the meeting.
