{"id":3085,"date":"2025-11-17T12:03:33","date_gmt":"2025-11-17T17:03:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kgop.org\/?p=3085"},"modified":"2025-11-17T12:03:34","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T17:03:34","slug":"unsafe-at-any-distance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kgop.org\/?p=3085","title":{"rendered":"Unsafe at Any Distance"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

  If you grew up in the 60\u2019s or 70\u2019s, you might understand the play on words here.  It picks up on the title of the book \u201cUnsafe at Any Speed: <\/em>The Designed-In Dangers of the American Automobile.\u201d  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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  Fast forward to today, here in Michigan and across the country, we\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  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\u2019s touted as the next step in \u201cGreen Energy\u201d because they don\u2019t emit carbon into the atmosphere like coal burning plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   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\u2019t kept pace.  A single BESS project can contain anywhere from a  few hundred to 100,000 lithium-ion batteries across thousands of modules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

   You may already know, when a single lithium-ion battery in an electric vehicle catches fire, local fire departments aren\u2019t 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?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

   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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.latimes.com\/california\/story\/2025-05-15\/la-me-monterey-county-vistra-fire-lithium-battery-pge\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

  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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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California adopts battery storage safety legislation following Moss Landing fire<\/a><\/blockquote>