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Templeton Board asks fire and police to review draft battery-energy-storage rules
Summary
Board members reviewed draft battery-energy-storage regulations and raised concerns about separation distances, potential materials (PFAS/PFOS) and fire training; staff will send the draft to the fire and police departments and return with their comments before a public hearing or finalization.
At its May 5 meeting the Town of Templeton Board of Health reviewed a draft set of regulations for battery energy storage systems and directed staff to circulate the draft to the fire and police departments for technical review.
Board members questioned whether the draft's separation and siting standards are sufficient and discussed potential environmental and safety issues, including fencing materials and PFAS/PFOS concerns. "It needs to go to the fire department. It needs to go to the police department," the staff member said, asking permission to forward the draft for department comments and training assessments.
Members also asked about hazard-mitigation analyses and who would bear the cost; staff clarified the town would not pay consultant costs referenced in the draft and that applicants would be responsible for required analyses. The board agreed to continue the matter so that fire, police and planning can provide recommendations about separation distances, screening and responder training before the board schedules a hearing.
No regulatory vote was taken; staff will seek departmental comments and bring an updated draft to a future meeting for possible public hearing and adoption.
