If you grew up in the 60’s or 70’s, you might understand the play on words here. It picks up on the title of the book “Unsafe at Any Speed: The Designed-In Dangers of the American Automobile.” That was a non-fiction book written by consumer advocate Ralph Nader, first published in 1965. He pointed out many safety issues concerning vehicle manufacturing at the time. His work led to legislation to improve car safety measures that saved countless lives.
Fast forward to today, here in Michigan and across the country, we’re facing another pivotal point in our manufacturing history. The issue today is energy. More specifically, the effort to build bigger and better batteries and energy storage systems that will power our high-speed, high-tech futures. And once again, the technology is booming, but the safety measures are woefully inadequate at best.
These energy storage facilities are referred to as BESS, Battery Energy Storage Systems. These systems are used to store energy, from sources like solar and wind farms, to provide backup power during outages, or help power new, massive data centers. It’s touted as the next step in “Green Energy” because they don’t emit carbon into the atmosphere like coal burning plants.
The problem with BESS projects is, right now, the cons far outweigh the pros. Besides the outward negatives, such as, many of these projects are unsightly. They are massive in size, taking up acre after acre of picturesque farmland. They also add light and noise pollution to surrounding communities.
But the biggest problem with these BESS projects is the hidden danger. Right now, the technology is so new and growing exponentially, that safety regulations haven’t kept pace. A single BESS project can contain anywhere from a few hundred to 100,000 lithium-ion batteries across thousands of modules.
You may already know, when a single lithium-ion battery in an electric vehicle catches fire, local fire departments aren’t equipped to handle these types of fires. Many fire departments simply let the fire burn and protect nearby vehicles and structures from catching fire. So, what happens when several batteries catch fire, or several hundred?
Just ask the residents of Moss Landing, California. This past January, 1500 residents were evacuated from their homes when a nearby BESS facility caught fire. And they are still dealing with the aftereffects today.
Michigan could be next. There are numerous BESS projects planned for communities across the state, including right here in Kalamazoo County. There are projects planned for Oshtemo Township and Comstock. There is also a massive Data Center in the works for Pavilion Township.
These communities are now scrambling to develop local ordinances to either implement safety regulations over the proposed projects, or outright ban them from their communities, as local residents learn of their dangers.
One roadblock for these local municipalities implementing specific ordinances to protect their residents is PA 233. Public Act 233 is a new law here in Michigan that allows developers to petition the state, when local towns or counties try to prevent a renewable energy project in their community. The law grants the Michigan Public Service Commission the authority to grant permits if a local government denies a building permit, if certain criteria are met.
Want to learn more about BESS projects? Join us at the KGOP office this Friday at 9 a.m. to hear several local residents discussing proposed projects in Oshtemo, Comstock and Pavilion Townships and the efforts underway to shut them down.