BESS stands for “Battery Energy Storage System.” Basically, it is a storage facility for storing batteries which hold energy. One of these facilities will be located in Harper, across the road from the LCRA substation. This plan is endorsed by LCRA but Gillespie County has not endorsed it and the Pedernales River Alliance does not endorse it.
While Peregrine, the company which will be building the BESS, handed out flyers identifying the benefits of storing energy in a battery farm like this, they did not address any of the dangers in the flyer (at the Public Meeting in Harper). In fact, many residents felt that they minimized the risks. The potential drawbacks are concerning.
The number one reason for NOT wanting a BESS at the location chosen is that these facilities are prone to explosion and fire. When batteries explode and catch on fire there is not much that can be done about the fire except pour water on it.
This particular storage unit will be located very near the headwaters of the Pedernales, just down the road from the local school and is surrounded by private residences.
Volunteer Firefighters, who do not have the proper equipment or training on how to handle this kind of disaster are at greater risk of personal injury and, as they pour water onto the burning BESS, the runoff will flow directly to the headwaters of the Pedernales River, an iconic and dearly loved river. An explosion and fire is likely to kill this upper section of the river. The Pedernales is critical habitat for Texas Fatmucket mussels. Golden Cheeked Warblers, an endangered species of migratory bird, which nest in cedar trees nearby and Bald Eagles which nest along the banks of the Pedernales.
It is highly likely that when disaster strikes at the BESS, the children at the school in Harper will not have an opportunity to evacuate. They will be caught in the fumes due to winds that primarily come from the southeast blowing to the northwest. These northwesterly winds will propel the fumes directly toward the school. Worst case, these fumes could kill children and/or permanently damage their lungs.
Homes just across the street and adjacent to the proposed facility will have to be evacuated in case of explosion and fire. Living nearby a BESS means you must always have a “go bag” packed because residents will little or no time to pack. They will be in the same situation as their children at the school-trapped and subject to deadly winds. Even if they make it out alive, their lungs could irreparably damaged. Wells and the aquifer are likely to be polluted from the run off, a byproduct of fighting the fire.
Sadly, the State of Texas has not passed any legislation to regulate these facilities. Additionally, we are providing potential regulations which Gillespie County could adopt to protect the land, the water and the people.
Should the County develop regulations, it is possible that Gillespie County may not be able to hold Peregrine to these regulations due to the reality that Peregrine announced their plans well in advance of the County developing regulations of battery storage facilities. Writing regulations now, is a bit like closing the barn door after livestock have already gotten out. Still, the regulations need to be developed to avoid other totally unregulated BESS facilities. Additionally, Peregrine needs to know about our concerns and we hope they will be willing to work with Gillespie County and the residents of Harper and, as far as possible, act to comply with stated concerns.
Also included in this document is potential legislation which could be shared with State Legislators.
PRA Potential County Regulations and Legislation