Reno County commissioners reject unincorporated-area bans on battery storage and data centers, schedule study session

Reno County commissioners debated but ultimately rejected countywide bans on battery energy storage systems (BESS) and on data centers for unincorporated parts of the county during their June 9 meeting in Hutchinson. The board voted down both motions after lengthy discussion and extensive public comment, and agreed to hold a special study session on June 15 at 6:00 p.m. for additional public input and expert briefings.

Commissioner Parks, who moved for separate votes on the two bans, argued he was responding to a strong constituent request to act, saying the public had asked the commission to "put an end to it" if that is the will of the board. Supporters of the bans during the meeting and in public comment cited concerns about fire risk, groundwater drawdown, and proximity to schools and senior-care facilities.

Commissioner Hurst framed the trade-off sharply: "A yes vote for one up there, in my opinion, would be signing the death warrant for many people," the transcript records, expressing fear about catastrophic incidents near vulnerable populations. Other commissioners cautioned that a countywide, unconditional prohibition could unintentionally bar small business or municipal server rooms and recommended more targeted regulation or a planning-and-zoning review process before a ban.

Public speakers pressed for independent technical studies. Moralda Tovar Mora asked the commission to "invite hydrologists from the Kansas Geological Survey" and to commission peer-reviewed modeling of long-term aquifer impacts and cumulative grid demand if multiple large facilities were approved. Several residents also warned of potential fire-suppression limitations: Mark Alber said local fire departments and mutual aid resources are not equipped to extinguish large battery fires.

When the roll calls were taken, the motion to ban BESS in unincorporated areas (excluding cities and extraterritorial jurisdiction) failed (Parks: yes; Bogner: yes; Vincent: no; Winger: no; Hurst: no). The motion to ban data centers failed by a similar margin (Parks: yes; Vincent: no; Winger: no; Bogner: no; Hurst: no).

Rather than banning facilities outright, the commission directed staff and counsel to organize a special public meeting within about 10 days so commissioners can hear experts, examine independent studies and consider regulatory language. That session was scheduled for June 15 at 6:00 p.m.; staff said they will confirm location and public-notice details.

The vote does not change planning-and-zoning authority inside municipal limits; commissioners clarified that any county action would apply only to unincorporated areas. Several speakers urged neutral, third-party studies to quantify water use, grid impacts, likely job counts and net fiscal benefit before the county adopts substantive policy.

The commission took no immediate code changes or moratoriums at the June 9 meeting; its next step is the study session and any follow-up regulatory proposals the commission ultimately directs staff to draft.