Planning commission begins work on battery energy storage zoning; staff seeks guidance on tiering and oversight

The Fergus Falls Planning Commission spent the latter portion of the meeting on an initial staff briefing and discussion about zoning for battery energy storage systems (BESS). Staff member Clara Beck said no action was required at this meeting and asked for input on definitions, permitting and oversight.

Beck outlined a tiered approach used in model language (tier 1 for small accessory systems and tier 2 for larger, utility-scale projects) and recommended focusing on tier 2 regulation first because those large projects are more likely to require distinct zoning and public-review processes. Commissioners generally agreed: they favored developing clear standards for large, multiacre or utility-scale installations and leaving small residential or accessory systems to standard building- and electrical-permit processes when feasible.

Commission discussion covered where to allow utility-scale BESS (for example, in RA or industrial zones or near substations), decommissioning-plan requirements similar to those for solar projects, and coordinating training and response procedures with the local fire chief and building official. Several speakers noted that state-level permitting applies above certain capacity thresholds; one participant estimated a 10-megawatt threshold for state regulation and suggested staff confirm the exact cutoff.

Staff said she would consult the building official and fire chief about safety and response language, check state permitting thresholds, and return with draft code language. The commission did not take formal action; the conversation will continue in future meetings as staff refines definitions and draft ordinance language.