Concerned Bay View residents hold meeting
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) remain an issue of concern for some in Skagit County, where energy companies have been eyeing rural land for the development of multiple projects — including one in La Conner.
These projects are being encouraged by Puget Sound Energy as an effort to transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, but Connie Krier, president of Stewards of Skagit County, warns about the risks associated with these large systems and encourages residents and elected officials to educate themselves and others on what to do in case of an emergency.
Battery storage systems are used to store power that is sold in times of high demand. Krier said Skagit County is the ideal location for BESS for several reasons: land and energy are cheaper than in counties like King and Snohomish, and there is plenty of open land.
In June, the La Conner Town Council tabled an emergency ordinance that would have placed a six-month moratorium on a proposed BESS project in the town, citing the need to learn more about these systems.
Friday, inside the Bay View Civic Hall, Krier talked about the Mount Vernon BESS project that would be developed on Ovenell Road, near the Port of Skagit and next to the PSE Fredonia substation.
According to a map presented at the meeting, the fall-out from a fire at this facility could reach parts of La Conner and the Swinomish Reservation.
In June, county commissioners voted to deny the Stewards of Skagit County’s appeal against the special use permit that would allow NextEra Energy Resources to build the Mount Vernon BESS facility. In the appeal, the group alleged that the energy company submitted an incomplete and inaccurate application and that proper notice was not given in the approval process.
The commissioners could not conclude that the hearing examiner was wrong in stating that there was not significant credible evidence that BESS posed a risk to the community. In February, Krier said, Stewards of Skagit County will bring the case to Whatcom County, citing procedural errors on the part of both Skagit County and NextEra Energy Resources.
Krier said companies have been downplaying the dangers of BESS systems that use lithium-ion batteries, which are highly flammable and have resulted in 20 fires across the country. These fires burn very hot and cannot be put out with water — sometimes, the best course of action is to just let them burn out. Even after being extinguished, there is risk of reignition, which further endangers firefighters who are not accustomed to these types of fire.
In January, a BESS fire released a toxic cloud over Monterey Bay in California and forced the evacuation of 1,200 residents, many of whom reported headaches, breathing problems and other issues, as reported by the Monterey Herald.
While the Mount Vernon project would be developed on the heavy industrial zone, Krier argues it would sit too close to properties and farmland which could be exposed to fire and toxic fumes.
“We’re not against more power, we’re against this power,” Krier said, referring specifically to lithium batteries. “Alternative energy is important, and it’s important that we find out how to do it responsibly.”
Krier said Stewards of Skagit County will concede as long as the following demands are met: switching to the less flammable sodium batteries, hiring a third party team — chosen by the Stewards and the County and paid by NextEra — to oversee construction, not expanding the project in the future, not allowing any more BESS projects in Skagit, and more.
Luisa Loi is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.
