Residents urge moratorium on battery storage as county introduces first-reading ordinance

Kathy Danko, a Wheatland resident speaking for the volunteer group Defend Wheatland, told the Kenosha County Board the community opposes a proposed battery energy storage site near an historic town center and nearby businesses, schools and churches, saying it could "put safety in jeopardy" and hinder future local economic growth. "A battery facility puts that safety in jeopardy," Danko said, offering the group's help in drafting a stronger county ordinance.

The Board later introduced Ordinance 7, a first-reading measure to enact a temporary moratorium on consideration or issuance of building permits, conditional-use permits and zoning approvals for battery energy storage systems until the county adopts an amended zoning ordinance to address those systems and protect public health, safety and welfare. The ordinance was introduced for first reading; no final vote on the moratorium was recorded at the meeting.

Supervisor Belsky earlier supported the idea of a responsible AI policy and other governance items but also has raised questions on implementation details on separate agenda items; board members did not record a formal debate over the moratorium during the session. The county's planning committee had been handling several related land-use items earlier in the agenda.

The moratorium ordinance is scheduled for further consideration at a future meeting (second reading and a formal vote will be required to take effect). In the interim, public commenters said they will continue to engage with supervisors and staff to shape any ordinance language.