The City of Kawartha Lakes is currently considering a proposal to allow Neoen to develop a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility in the peaceful community of Woodville, Ontario. As residents of Woodville and the surrounding area, we strongly oppose this development due to several critical concerns that threaten our community's safety, environment, and way of life.

**Safety Risks (Fire, Thermal Runaway & Hazardous Materials)**

It is well-documented that large-scale lithium-based battery facilities pose serious safety risks, including potential fires, explosions, and the release of toxic smoke. While these incidents may be rare, they are indeed high-impact, posing significant danger to both people and property.  In the event of an emergency, the consequences could be catastrophic, not only impacting human lives but also causing extensive environmental damage. Residents are concerned about potential contamination of air, soil, and groundwater in the event of a system failure or emergency discharge. 

**Environmental Impact**

The installation of a BESS facility could have detrimental effects on the local environment. The proposed location places industrial-level infrastructure near family homes, farmland, and sensitive environmental areas. The scale of this development is incompatible with the surrounding land use. Our area is an area rich in natural beauty and biodiversity, including wetlands and wildlife habitats, it is imperative to consider the potential harm such industrial activity might impose. BESS facilities may produce ongoing operational noise and require 24/7 lighting and security infrastructure  The construction and operation of a BESS facility would lead to habitat disruption and increase carbon emissions, counteracting efforts towards ecological preservation and sustainability.

**Property Value Concerns**

Industrial energy storage facilities may negatively affect nearby residential and agricultural property values.

**Insufficient Community Consultation/ Community Disapproval**

To date, many residents feel the consultation process has been rushed or incomplete, lacking meaningful engagement and transparent, accessible information about long-term risks, emergency planning, decommissioning, and responsibility for system failures.

The citizens of Woodville have voiced their concerns and disapproval of this project. We value our town's tranquility, safety, and environmental integrity, and we believe that the installation of a BESS facility directly undermines these values. Community engagement is paramount in decision-making processes that affect our home and future generations.

We urge the City of Kawartha Lakes to reconsider this proposal and halt any further advancement of the BESS project in Woodville. Instead, we advocate for investing in safer, community-supported renewable energy alternatives that align with our environmental and safety priorities.

Please join us in protecting Woodville by signing this petition. Together, we can ensure that our voices are heard and our community's needs are met.