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Board presses applicants on battery fire risk and emergency response plans
Summary
Board members pressed Nexamp and its consultants on lithium battery fire risks, emergency response coordination with local fire departments, and past incident history. Applicants said prior incidents were "isolated" and that emergency plans would be developed with local responders.
Several board members raised safety concerns about the battery energy storage system proposed for the Prairie Flats site during the Aug. 12 hearing.
Board member Earle said he was worried that "once it catches fire, there is no way to put it out," a statement that prompted applicants to describe prior incidents and planned emergency coordination. The applicant representatives said they were aware of "5-7 incidents" where a fire was isolated to one module or one cell and characterized those as "isolated with very low probability." Applicants also told the board they will develop an emergency response plan in coordination with the local fire department.
The exchange focused board attention on response planning, fire containment and whether local emergency services have the equipment and training to handle a lithium battery event. The applicants said they would work with local responders on the plan and that they would replace or repair any damage to panels if storms or other events caused harm.
