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Paris council adopts battery energy storage rules after public safety concerns raised
Summary
The council approved a new ordinance creating regulations for battery energy storage systems (BESS), including SUPs, decommissioning and financial-assurance requirements; a resident urged the council to ban BESS inside city limits, citing safety and firefighting concerns.
The Paris City Council adopted an ordinance creating a regulatory framework for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), adding definitions, permitted locations, SUP requirements, dimensional and buffering standards, and decommissioning and financial-assurance provisions.
City planner McGee told the council that the city lacked specific rules for larger BESS installations and that the proposed text was intended to organize standards and protect residents. During the public hearing, resident Scott Howell urged the council to keep BESS out of the city, calling the technology unsafe and emphasizing firefighting and toxic-gas risks. “They’re unsafe… The toxic gases that come off of these units in a fire… hydrocyanide,” Howell said, urging strict restrictions and recommending rooftop or parking-lot installations for solar instead.
Planning and Zoning recommended approval; staff said the ordinance would not impose a fiscal impact beyond routine administration. After discussion there were no other public speakers and the council moved, seconded and approved the ordinance by voice vote.
Council and staff said the ordinance will allow the city to review proposals and require measures — such as decommissioning plans and financial assurances — intended to reduce long-term risk and to clarify responsibilities if equipment is removed or repurposed.
