Township considers pause on energy storage facilities after public backlash – MLive.com

Report on Proposed Moratorium on Battery Energy Storage Systems in Oshtemo Township

Executive Summary

Oshtemo Township, Kalamazoo County, is deliberating a moratorium on the development of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects. This action follows significant community opposition to a potential project by NewEdge Renewable Power. The situation highlights a critical conflict between the pursuit of SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) through new energy infrastructure, and the imperative to ensure SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by addressing local safety and environmental concerns. The debate also engages principles of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), as it involves matters of local governance, public participation, and jurisdictional authority.

Project Background and Sustainable Development Context

Proposed BESS Project and Contribution to Energy Goals

NewEdge Renewable Power has initiated preliminary development stages for a BESS facility after entering into a land lease in December 2023. Such facilities are integral to achieving key sustainable development targets:

• SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): BESS projects enhance grid stability, facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources, and can contribute to more affordable electricity for communities.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): By storing energy from renewable sources, BESS technology is critical for transitioning away from fossil fuels and mitigating climate change.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): These systems represent an innovation in resilient and sustainable energy infrastructure.

NewEdge asserts that a facility would add capacity to the Southwest Michigan power grid and has committed to working with the community to develop a beneficial project.

Community Concerns and Implications for SDG 11

Local residents have voiced strong opposition, primarily centered on risks that challenge the vision of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), which aims to make human settlements safe, resilient, and sustainable. Key concerns include:

• Fire Risk: The potential for “thermal runaway,” a chemical process that can cause difficult-to-control fires in lithium-based batteries.
• Environmental Impact: The potential effects of a facility failure on surrounding land, including local farms like Little Pistol Farms, which is adjacent to the proposed site.
• Community Safety: The overall impact a major incident could have on the health and well-being of residents and surrounding municipalities, touching upon SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

Governance and Institutional Response

Proposed Moratorium as a Tool for Sustainable Planning

In response to public feedback, the Oshtemo Township board is considering a moratorium on “Commercial Energy Storage Facilities.” The board voted 5-2 in favor during an initial reading. The primary objectives of this measure are:

1. To provide the township with sufficient time to develop or amend zoning ordinances.
2. To ensure that any future development aligns with community safety and sustainability standards, directly supporting the planning principles of SDG 11.
3. To avoid a rushed legislative process that could result in an inadequate ordinance.

Challenges to Local Authority and SDG 16

The township’s efforts to exercise local control face a significant challenge, highlighting complexities related to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

• State Jurisdiction: A 2023 state law grants the state government approval authority for BESS projects exceeding 50 megawatts, potentially superseding any local ordinances or moratoriums.
• Institutional Effectiveness: Some officials, like Trustee Zak Ford, have questioned the moratorium’s value, labeling it “symbolic and borderline reckless” if the state holds ultimate jurisdiction.
• Public Participation: The debate over a proposed policy requiring 24-hour advance submission of digital materials for public comment underscores ongoing tensions regarding transparent and inclusive governance processes, a core tenet of SDG 16.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The article directly connects to this goal by discussing Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), which are a key technology for modern energy infrastructure. The text states that BESS facilities “store power from renewable and non-renewable energy sources to stabilize grids through steady power flow” and that a facility would “make electricity more affordable.” This aligns with the goal’s aim to ensure access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The development of a BESS project represents an investment in resilient and sustainable infrastructure. The article mentions that a battery storage facility would “add capacity to the power grid in Southwest Michigan,” which is a direct upgrade to regional energy infrastructure, supporting industrial and community needs.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  This goal is central to the conflict described. The township’s effort to impose a moratorium and develop a “zoning ordinance” is a core function of sustainable urban planning. Furthermore, residents’ concerns about “potential fire risk and environmental impacts” relate directly to making communities safe, resilient, and sustainable. The debate is about how to integrate new energy infrastructure safely into an existing community.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

  The entire article describes a local governance process. The Oshtemo Township board, planning commission, and attorney are attempting to create effective and accountable institutions by considering a “moratorium to give the township more time to create an ordinance.” The public backlash, resident attendance at meetings (almost 50), and public comments (“Say no. How else can we make this more clear?”) highlight the theme of inclusive and participatory decision-making. A resident’s request for the township to “be transparent about their communications with NewEdge” directly addresses the need for transparent institutions.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.

   The article mentions that a BESS facility would “make electricity more affordable” and “stabilize grids through steady power flow,” which directly addresses the affordability and reliability aspects of this target.

2. Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

   While not the primary focus, the article notes that BESS “store power from renewable… energy sources.” This technology is critical for integrating intermittent renewable sources like solar and wind into the grid, thereby helping to increase their overall share.

3. Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.

   The township’s struggle to create a “zoning ordinance” for BESS facilities in response to a development proposal and public opposition is a direct example of human settlement planning in action. The public meetings and comments demonstrate the participatory element of this target.

4. Target 11.b: By 2030, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards… disaster risk reduction…

   Residents’ concerns about “potential fire risk” and the specific mention of “thermal runaway” as a cause of BESS fires highlight the need for disaster risk reduction in local planning. The proposed moratorium and ordinance are policy tools to manage this risk.

5. Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.

   The article is a case study of this target. It details a township board meeting with “almost 50 residents in attendance,” a “public comment portion,” and a 5-2 vote on the moratorium. This shows a local government responding (or attempting to respond) to community participation and concerns.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator for Target 7.1: Proportion of population with access to electricity and reliability of supply.

   The article implies this through the statement that BESS can “stabilize grids through steady power flow.” Progress could be measured by tracking power grid stability and electricity affordability in Southwest Michigan before and after the potential implementation of such projects.

2. Indicator for Target 11.3: Proportion of cities with a direct participation structure of civil society in urban planning and management that operate regularly and democratically.

   The article provides direct evidence of such a structure. The “Monday, Nov. 10 meeting,” the “public comment portion,” and the attendance of “almost 50 residents” are all measurable instances of a participatory process in urban planning.

3. Indicator for Target 11.b: Number of local governments that adopt and implement local disaster risk reduction strategies.

   The township’s actions directly relate to this indicator. The consideration and vote on a “moratorium” and the stated goal to “create an ordinance to address potential BESS projects” are tangible steps toward implementing a local strategy to reduce the specific risk of BESS fires.

4. Indicator for Target 16.7: Proportions of positions in… local government… compared to national distributions. (This can be adapted to measure the level of public participation).

   While the official indicator is about representation, the spirit of participation is measured in the article. The “almost 50 residents in attendance” and the multiple quotes from residents during the “public comment portion” serve as qualitative indicators of the level of public engagement in local decision-making.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary Table

Source: mlive.com