AR25-015 Staff Decision - Laserfiche WebLink

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would be, nor if they have existing training resources. The applicant does not explain what specialized equipment for fighting battery fires at a BESS may be necessary. No emergency response plan was provided with the application. Under the “Fire Safety” section of the application, the applicant states that there will be fire extinguishers at strategic locations throughout the 15-acre Battery Energy Storage System. Electrical Energy Storage Systems are subject to Oregon Fire Code (OFC 2022) section 1207, the applicant did not provide evidence that the proposal could or would comply with the requirements of that section. The Marion County Board of Commissioners has determined that BESSs are not accounted for within Marion County Code and are therefore not permitted under any circumstances. The Board simultaneously directed Planning Department staff to begin working with industry leaders to develop standards for BESS so that they may be permitted in the future subject to standards that mitigate potential adverse impacts. The applicant was informed of this process and chose to apply prior to the development of any standards. The applicant has not provided significant evidence to suggest that their proposal will not impact public health or create a significant safety hazard within the county. The applicant had access to the public record of concerns discussed at the public hearing regarding BESSs. These concerns include significant inherent risks and potential impacts that result from establishment of a BESS. Perhaps the most serious risk is the potential for thermal runaway resulting in lithium fires and explosions of the batteries themselves. These kinds of fires are extremely dangerous and difficult to extinguish. They can result in injury to first responders both in the short term due to unpredictable velocity of fluctuating temperatures when responders enter the facility, and in the long term due to health issues resulting from the release of toxic aerial chemicals that may cause respiratory issues and skin damage. After a BESS fire is extinguished, there is still significant long-term risk to the health of people living in the area, and environmental hazards. The chemicals required for fire suppression of a large scale lithium fire can runoff into the surrounding soils, groundwater, and streams across the subject parcel. The chemical leakage of the damaged batteries themselves can result in hazardous material soaking into the soil and groundwater. At this location, due to the intermittent and perennial streams that flow through the proposed facility, this chemical leakage could directly pollute water bodies. Those streams flow into canals utilized by Santiam Water Control District to provide water to farms in the area. Contamination of the groundwater and the streams on the subject parcel may result in a loss of water supply required by farmers in the area to successfully grow crops, and the groundwater supply depended upon for drinking water. Consumption of heavy metals and harmful materials that may leak from the BESS into the water supply could cause long term health issues for individuals living in the area. During the eventual decommissioning of the facility in 20 to 25 years, there will be more risk of hazardous materials being released from metal in the batteries and chemical leakage into the soil, groundwater, and adjacent streams. If failing batteries are removed, these hazards will simply be moved to a different site. The applicant did not explain a plan for disposal of the batteries. The risks to the residents, farming operations, and environment in the immediate area are significant. These risks carry associated costs for cleanup in the cases of fire, explosion, failing/leaking batteries, and eventual decommissioning. In the case of an emergency at the BESS, several forms costly damage on the surrounding area may be incurred. Crops may be destroyed. The soil may require capping if significantly contaminated. Farmland may be permanently lost. Water sources may be contaminated. The ecosystem may be permanently degraded. All of these potential side effects could create significant financial burden on property owners in the area. The applicant did not address any of these risks, or suggest how Remington BESS LLC could or would pay for any of the damages to property owners and residents that may result from the dangers of their proposed BESS. In the case of an emergency at the BESS, temporary evacuation of nearby residents may be required. Neighbors would need somewhere to evacuate to, whether that be a temporary shelter or hotels in the area. An appropriate plan would provide details in the event of an evacuation and give property owners the chance to review and provide comments on the plan during the land use process. The applicant did not provide any evacuation plan. The public health and safety concerns regarding BESSs are significant and the potential adverse impacts to agriculture and the environment resulting from BESSs are equally significant. The necessity for mitigation of the risks imposed by these facilities is one reason the county is prohibiting BESSs until specific standards can be developed. The applicant did not provide any significant evidence that the proposed BESS will not create