Public hearing held on proposed 200 MW battery storage project near northwest Lancaster County as residents raise safety and drainage concerns

The Lancaster County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 10 held a public hearing on Special Permit 25045, a proposed 200 MWAC Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on about 20 acres north of West Holdrege near Northwest 140th Street.

Planning Department Planner George Wesselhoft described the site location, applicable zoning and regulatory criteria. Wesselhoft said the county amended regulations to include BESS as a permitted use and explained permit conditions the board may require, including setback and height compliance, screening, a Planning-approved waiver allowing a potential 10-foot sound-mitigation fence within the setback, and a requirement that Malcolm Fire and Rescue approve an emergency action plan before issuance of a building permit.

Attorney David Levy and Paul Brown of the Energy Safety Response Group presented the applicant's materials, saying the project would use lithium iron phosphate batteries in 242 containers with 61 inverters, that equipment would be UL-listed and designed to meet applicable NFPA standards, and that the applicant proposes firefighter training and monitoring systems. Levy said the project would require Nebraska Power Review Board approval in addition to county permitting. The applicant presented an estimated personal-property investment of about $240 million and projected school and county tax impacts; the $240 million figure was presented by the applicant as an estimate and not verified by county staff.

Nearby residents Kelly Jensen, Keri Lostroh and Ashton Lostroh testified in opposition, submitting written exhibits and raising concerns about fire hazards, smoke exposure, perceived health risks and potential impacts to drainage and water flow in the area. In response, Lincoln/Lancaster Health Department Environmental Health Supervisor Gary Bergstrom said that while any fire produces hazardous air pollutants, the department did not identify uniquely elevated health risks associated with the proposed facility compared with other potential fire sources. Civil Engineer Jena Vogt explained the Engineering Department's drainage review approach and said a drainage easement had been required along the southwest portion of the site; no regulatory stream was identified in the southeast area.

Applicant representatives reiterated that battery incidents are rare, described differences between lithium iron phosphate and older battery chemistries, and emphasized planned monitoring, fire protection measures and emergency response coordination with local fire districts. Paul Brown described training as potentially annual or biannual and offered in-person or virtual options depending on Malcolm Fire and Rescue's needs. The board closed the hearing and Yoakum said the board will take action on the special permit at its Feb. 24, 2026 meeting.

What this means: The hearing compiled technical details, developer projections and resident concerns that the county will weigh before making a permit decision. Key outstanding items include the county's review of sound modeling, the final Emergency Action Plan approval by Malcolm Fire and Rescue, and required state-level review by the Nebraska Power Review Board.