I am a Kokomo native, working and residing within a mile from the proposed location of the Spearmint Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). This is more than a petition. It's a personal plea for understanding, for empathy, for action. This system would be an imminent threat and an ever-present concern in the lives of myself, my neighbors, my coworkers, our children, our community, and our agriculture. 

Despite promises and assurances, the dangerous and toxic fires caused by BESS technologies around the world can't be easily dismissed. It's important to remember the incident in South Korea, where 23 energy storage system fires occurred within two years[1]. These fires are not a mere inconvenience—they are life-threatening and can be environmentally destructive. 

Moreover, it is chilling to know that this planned BESS installation won't primarily just serve our community. It is intended to serve the larger Midwest region. Why should our town bear the risks, face the hazards and live in the shadow of a system that doesn't directly benefit us alone? Our residents, firefighters, livestock and our fertile soil should not be endangered for a service intended for others. While finding energy solutions is important, we do not believe this location is the best place to experiment with new technology that has already proven to cause harm.

This petition is an outcry against the BESS installation in our beloved Kokomo. It is a call to prioritize the safety and well-being of our community members. Let's stand up for our safe and flourishing Kokomo. It's time to say no to the Spearmint BESS. Sign this petition to make our voices heard.

 

The next public hearing will be at the Plan Commission meeting Tuesday, November 12th at 5pm in the Neal Chambers at City Hall.

 

https://abc7ny.com/post/lithium-ion-battery-plants-sparking-new-concerns/15262683/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location proposed: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Within ~1 mile radius:
Daycares: Microchips, Little Lambs

Businesses: Kohls, TJ Maxx, Bob Evans, Hampton Inn, CFD Investments, 

Apartment/Residential areas: Ashbury Apartments, Winding Brook Apartments, Lincolnwood Apartments, Cricket Hills, Stonybrook, Quail Run, Walton Lake Estates, and others

 

 

 

 

_1. Kim, H. and Y. Jang. 2020. An analysis of ESS fire incidents in South Korea. Cyber-Physical Systems Journal_