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Residents urge Skagit County to restrict battery energy storage after nearby lithium‑battery incidents
Summary
During public comment April 28, multiple residents asked commissioners to halt or restrict battery energy storage systems (BESS), citing a recent lithium‑battery fire at a Puyallup school and concerns about toxic cleanup, proximity to farms and schools, and alternatives such as zinc‑oxide batteries.
Several Skagit County residents urged the Board of County Commissioners on April 28 to take steps limiting battery energy storage systems (BESS) in the county, citing the April 4 lithium‑battery fire at a Puyallup junior high school and potential contamination cleanup requirements.
Ingrid Hinton told commissioners the Puyallup incident required a hazardous‑materials cleanup that closed a school for the rest of the school year, and she said she had submitted an 80‑page appeal asking the county to change a prior vote related to a proposed BESS project. "This has forced the closure of the school for the rest of the year, and due to air quality and contamination," Hinton said.
Other speakers pressed the county to require safer battery chemistries or stricter siting. Laura Stansbury Weese suggested zinc‑oxide battery alternatives and urged the county to use permitting and zoning to influence procurement and technology choices. Alka McCartney described community protests and said residents want stronger accountability from developers and power companies.
Commissioners and staff did not take immediate action on BESS policy during the meeting; the comments were recorded during the public‑comment period and will be part of the public record for future planning or permitting discussions.
Speakers connected local concerns to broader trends, citing multiple recent battery storage incidents and urging the county to weigh safety, environmental and public‑health risks when evaluating projects near schools, farms and wetlands.
