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Residents urge stricter review of battery storage siting, cite noise and safety risks
Summary
During public comment, multiple Skagit County residents said nearby battery energy storage systems (BESS) have caused noise, raised fire and disposal concerns, and recommended alternatives or moratoria; speakers asked county officials to improve notification and oversight.
Several Skagit County residents used public comment on June 2 to press county officials on battery energy storage systems (BESS), saying installations near homes have caused noise and raised safety concerns and urging stricter review or alternatives.
Ingrid Hinton of Mount Vernon told commissioners a BESS installed in 2023 about 20 feet from her Samish Island property generated repetitive mechanical noise that carried across her 3.72‑acre lot, and said subsequent acoustic testing documented exceedances at her property boundary. Hinton said she received no direct notification before the installation, that a county code‑enforcement case remains open and that the impacts have delayed plans to build a home on the property.
Elka McCartney of Anacortes linked health and safety concerns to lithium‑ion battery installations, citing reported fires, "toxic smoke" and noise. McCartney warned against industry outreach that she described as an attempt to "groom" community opinion and said expert reassurances she encountered were dismissive of community fears.
Several speakers proposed alternatives or actions. Laura Stansbury Weese suggested the county pursue a state‑level pilot of less‑toxic zinc‑based battery technology used in Sweden, saying such systems may offer longer discharge durations and easier end‑of‑life disposal. Ken Dunning urged caution about siting near saltwater and sensitive habitats and questioned whether companies such as NextEra would be sufficiently reliable stewards.
Rebecca Peck praised recent county action placing a moratorium on data centers and urged a similar approach to limit BESS siting until the county can ensure protections; she also urged the county to coordinate with the sheriff and courts about ICE activity at local facilities.
Speakers called for clearer notification requirements for neighbors, more robust acoustic and safety review, and options to pilot alternative technologies in sensitive areas. Several commenters said legal action is difficult for private residents and asked the county to strengthen permitting and enforcement. The commissioners did not take formal action during the public comment period; comments were recorded for the public record.
