As a resident deeply rooted in the West End neighborhood of Austin County, I see the day-to-day life of its inhabitants, including our children, and the health of our farms, livestock, and natural habitats. Our home values, our water, and the plant life that our cattle feed on could be detrimentally affected by the proposed Ochoa Energy Storage lithium ion battery storage facility. The proposed site is within our residential vicinity posing both potential health and safety risks.

Exposure to lithium ion batteries can cause a plethora of health issues, including skin and eye irritation and severe respiratory discomfort. Moreover, lithium-ion batteries also pose a significant fire hazard due to their flammability. The National Fire Protection Association reported in 2019 that Lithium-ion batteries cause around 48% of waste facility fires in the United States. We do not want to risk the wellbeing of our families with such a hazard in close proximity to our homes.

Austin County, let us stand together and prioritize the health and safety of our families, the integrity of our homes, and the wellbeing of our natural environment over the construction of this potentially dangerous facility. Austin County, it is time to raise our voices. Please, sign this petition to rebuff the construction of the lithium-ion battery storage facility in West End.