Keep Battery Storage Facilities Away from Homes, Schools, and Neighborhoods in Michigan
Keep Battery Storage Facilities Away from Homes, Schools, and Neighborhoods in Michigan
The Issue
For Submission to Michigan Energy Stakeholders — Including Utility Providers, Energy Developers, State Legislators, Local Government Leaders, and Regulatory Agencies
We, the undersigned Michigan residents and community members, respectfully express our strong opposition to the proposed Van Kal Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Oshtemo Township, or to any BESS facility located within two (2) miles of homes, schools, or occupied businesses.
Similar battery storage projects are being proposed in communities across Michigan, making it increasingly important to establish thoughtful siting standards that protect residents while supporting the state’s energy goals.
Why This Matters
Large battery storage facilities proposed near residential areas raise concerns about safety risks, environmental impacts, property values, and the lack of clear statewide siting standards.
While we support Michigan’s clean and renewable energy goals, we believe this type of project—as currently proposed—poses serious and unmitigated risks to the health, safety, and welfare of our communities.
Key Concerns
• Safety Risks: Potential for thermal runaway, fire, chemical leakage, or explosions associated with lithium-ion battery storage systems. Documented incidents in Escondido, California (2024) and McMicken, Arizona (2019) show these events can cause long-term environmental contamination and endanger public safety.
• Environmental Impact: Risk of contamination to soil, water, and air, as well as disruption of local ecosystems and wildlife.
• Proximity to Homes, Schools, and Businesses: Allowing industrial-scale BESS projects near residential neighborhoods places families directly in potential evacuation zones.
• Lack of Transparency: Inadequate public engagement, limited environmental impact assessments, and insufficient disclosure of emergency response plans.
• Property Value Decline: BESS facilities in other states have been associated with declining property values, increased insurance costs, and heightened resident anxiety due to safety and health concerns.
We Call for the Following Actions
• Carefully review the impacts BESS projects have had on communities across the United States and prioritize the protection of Michigan residents, water resources, and local communities.
• Adopt and enforce comprehensive safety, environmental, and accountability standards before approving new BESS projects.
• Require BESS projects to utilize appropriately zoned industrial areas where reasonably available, or meet a minimum two-mile setback from occupied structures and sensitive environmental resources.
• Require developers and participating landowners to post full financial assurance and decommissioning bonds prior to construction to ensure that cleanup, fire response, and facility removal do not fall on taxpayers.
• Ensure transparent public hearings and full disclosure of project documentation so affected residents can meaningfully participate in decisions that impact their communities.
The health and safety of Michigan families and future generations must come before industrial development in residential neighborhoods.
We respectfully ask that this petition and its signatures be reviewed and considered by Michigan regulators, local officials, and energy stakeholders as they evaluate policies and approvals related to BESS development.
Please sign and share this petition to help ensure that Michigan residents have a voice in decisions that affect the safety and future of their communities. Your voice matters!
Sincerely,
The Undersigned Residents of Michigan
After signing, please follow the next steps to copy a link and share this petition with others. You can also write a comment that will be included and delivered to stakeholders.
A Warning for Michigan – Fire Risks at BESS Facilities in San Diego County
Visit our Website and Facebook page
851
The Issue
For Submission to Michigan Energy Stakeholders — Including Utility Providers, Energy Developers, State Legislators, Local Government Leaders, and Regulatory Agencies
We, the undersigned Michigan residents and community members, respectfully express our strong opposition to the proposed Van Kal Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Oshtemo Township, or to any BESS facility located within two (2) miles of homes, schools, or occupied businesses.
Similar battery storage projects are being proposed in communities across Michigan, making it increasingly important to establish thoughtful siting standards that protect residents while supporting the state’s energy goals.
Why This Matters
Large battery storage facilities proposed near residential areas raise concerns about safety risks, environmental impacts, property values, and the lack of clear statewide siting standards.
While we support Michigan’s clean and renewable energy goals, we believe this type of project—as currently proposed—poses serious and unmitigated risks to the health, safety, and welfare of our communities.
Key Concerns
• Safety Risks: Potential for thermal runaway, fire, chemical leakage, or explosions associated with lithium-ion battery storage systems. Documented incidents in Escondido, California (2024) and McMicken, Arizona (2019) show these events can cause long-term environmental contamination and endanger public safety.
• Environmental Impact: Risk of contamination to soil, water, and air, as well as disruption of local ecosystems and wildlife.
• Proximity to Homes, Schools, and Businesses: Allowing industrial-scale BESS projects near residential neighborhoods places families directly in potential evacuation zones.
• Lack of Transparency: Inadequate public engagement, limited environmental impact assessments, and insufficient disclosure of emergency response plans.
• Property Value Decline: BESS facilities in other states have been associated with declining property values, increased insurance costs, and heightened resident anxiety due to safety and health concerns.
We Call for the Following Actions
• Carefully review the impacts BESS projects have had on communities across the United States and prioritize the protection of Michigan residents, water resources, and local communities.
• Adopt and enforce comprehensive safety, environmental, and accountability standards before approving new BESS projects.
• Require BESS projects to utilize appropriately zoned industrial areas where reasonably available, or meet a minimum two-mile setback from occupied structures and sensitive environmental resources.
• Require developers and participating landowners to post full financial assurance and decommissioning bonds prior to construction to ensure that cleanup, fire response, and facility removal do not fall on taxpayers.
• Ensure transparent public hearings and full disclosure of project documentation so affected residents can meaningfully participate in decisions that impact their communities.
The health and safety of Michigan families and future generations must come before industrial development in residential neighborhoods.
We respectfully ask that this petition and its signatures be reviewed and considered by Michigan regulators, local officials, and energy stakeholders as they evaluate policies and approvals related to BESS development.
Please sign and share this petition to help ensure that Michigan residents have a voice in decisions that affect the safety and future of their communities. Your voice matters!
Sincerely,
The Undersigned Residents of Michigan
After signing, please follow the next steps to copy a link and share this petition with others. You can also write a comment that will be included and delivered to stakeholders.
A Warning for Michigan – Fire Risks at BESS Facilities in San Diego County
Visit our Website and Facebook page
851
Supporter Voices
Petition created on October 25, 2025