'We don’t want that here': Kenosha Co. residents speak out against proposed battery energy storage facility
KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Controversy in Kenosha County, as dozens of residents showed up to speak out against a proposed battery energy storage facility.
“This is total {expletive},” said Jean Gruenert, who spoke during public comment.
It was a full house Monday night at the Town of Wheatland board meeting.
“We don’t want that here,” said Nora Boss, a Kenosha County resident.
Strong words and opposition over a proposed 200-megawatt battery energy storage facility.
Back in January, the town's plan commission unanimously voted against the proposed project by Robin Battery Storage.
The next day, the town says they were sent a letter from Robin Energy saying they were withdrawing their application.
Now, there is concern the group is looking for another way to call Wheatland their new home.
“All they’ve told us is they are withdrawn from the town and the county,” said Jeffrey Butler, the Wheatland town chairman. “There is a possibility they are going to go to the state and bypass us."
Bulter says if the group goes to the Public Service Commission, a permit would take one year.
“After one year, there’s a possibility they can come in and we have nothing to say about it,” said Butler.
Residents in the Town of Wheatland and across Kenosha County say if the battery storage facility were to be built, they worry about it becoming a major fire hazard. That’s in addition to environmental and health concerns for those in the area.
“Those toxins, are they going to absorb into the Fox River, into all of our lakes?” said Boss. “How’s that going to affect our wildlife? This is a farming community. What about the farm animals, cows, chickens, everything, what about our crops? You know, it’s very dangerous.”
“This is not what anybody wanted and I don’t want it,” said Gruenert. “I will stamp my feet and scream and holler forever.”
The battery energy storage facility wasn’t even on Monday's agenda, but those who showed up say they will do everything they can to make sure this doesn’t end up in their backyard.
CBS 58 tried reaching out to Robin Energy through the email and phone number listed on the letter sent to the town withdrawing their application; neither the call nor the email would go through.