On the rainy Monday evening of August 18, what seemed like the entire community of Blendon Township packed into the 72nd Avenue boardroom. It was wall-to-wall people. Over half the crowd were standing or leaning—some were even in the doorways, taking in the outside air while remaining in hearing distance.
The community had shown up for one agenda item in particular, Key Capture Energy (KCE).
Unbeknownst to the majority of residents until recently, KCE signed a 20-year lease with a local farmer in 2022, with plans to set up a lithium battery energy storage system (BESS) in Blendon Township.
Rezoning for the project took place in 2023. Then, a few months ago, the local fire department received BESS training. And then in July of 2025, KCE presented an open house and information night to the public. These events led to the meeting on Monday, August 18, the night when residents who would be sharing their community with the BESS came to voice their opinions to the board.
The sound of downpour outside the open doors, the lack of microphones, and the residents shifting in their seats from the humidity added to the palpable frustration that permeated the room.
And then the time of public comment began.
Public Comment #1
The first resident to give comment recognized that because of Public Act 233, the board members most likely saw their hands as being tied, but reminded them that they do have the Constitution to lean on.
She also said that while the farmer who leased to KCE, Jordan Dekker, may be a good person, he currently serves on the Planning Commission and should resign.
Dekker had been recusing himself from meetings pertaining to KCE—which, the commenter pointed out, left one less voice on the situation. She added that she wanted to nominate Bev Horinga as his replacement.
As the commenter concluded, the crowd erupted with applause and whistling. The Township Manager announced there would be no clapping following public comments.
Public Comment #2
The next resident talked about his concern for fire, and how with BESS projects, “fire is their thing.”
He shared that people who lived 30 miles away from the BESS fire in Moss Landing, California reported a metal taste in their mouths and respiratory issues.
The resident added that the minutes of the Planning Commission show there has been a lot of discussion about money and not about the safety and well-being of the citizens. He claimed that the board is putting citizens at an unnecessary health risk and firefighters in harm’s way.
A few rebellious claps followed the commenter.
Public Comment #3
Another resident approached the podium and shared speculation about BESS projects being part of the Net-Zero Age, a worldwide effort to reach zero carbon emissions by 2050. He said that just as the Trump Administration stepped in to help save the Campbell Plant, there might also be help to stop a BESS.
Public Comment #4
One local citizen challenged the board to look for options around PA233. She spoke of a lawsuit by several Michigan townships and counties against the Michigan Public Service Commission and wondered if the board had considered joining the suit. At the very least, she asked the board to consider pausing proposed projects until the lawsuit played out. She closed by saying that the rural way of life is worth protecting, and that the board members were elected to represent the interest of Blendon Township residents, not to advance Lansing’s interests.
Public Comment #5
One resident, as well as others, implored the board to think about the aquifer, how their wells already were going dry, and how much water it would take to suppress and contain a fire.
Public Comment #6
“I love freedom,” one resident said through tears. She talked about how residents should get to do what they want with their personal property, unless it hurts their neighbors. She believes the BESS puts everyone in the area at risk. She asked the board to come up with “exorbitant security measures,” making it so expensive that KCE would decide it’s not worth the trouble to build or do business in Blendon Township. She then asked who would be paying the bill for where she would have to stay if she were evacuated.
Public Comment #7
An Allendale resident told the board to take a look at the crowd, saying how all the people there would be affected by this decision—their livelihood, their income, the equity in their homes. He asked the board to fight for the community. He added that as a resident of Allendale, he was also in the evacuation zone and would be affected.
Public Comment #8
One Blendon Township resident acknowledged the board members are in a tricky spot, but that they should consider that whether a fire happens is a matter of when, not if.
She said that residents will be evacuated from their homes, businesses will be disrupted, employees will lose income, schools will shut down, and churches will be unable to meet. The township just went through all that with Covid.
Public Comment #9
Another resident from Allendale, who happens to sit on the Allendale Township board, asked the board members if they had notified any neighboring townships of their plans. Allendale's board members had not heard about it, and yet their community and others on Blendon Township's borders would be affected in an evacuation.
“Have you heard the people?” a masculine voice rang out from the crowd to the board. And again, louder, “Have you heard the people?” The question was not answered.
The board moved to the update by Brian Madigan, Senior Manager of Development for KCE. Madigan faced the crowd from the podium and, after introducing himself, offered the assurance that he would answer everyone’s questions.
A question was thrown out from the crowd, perhaps to gauge Madigan’s ability to empathize and maybe relate: “Where do you live?”
Madigan smiled.
Madigan began his update by saying that “misinformation is everywhere,” and that people should ask him or his accompanying team members any questions they have.
He talked through the timeline of beginning conversations with the board in 2022 and then meeting in May of 2025 with Fire Chief Kurt Gurnaat.
Much of the update seemed to focus on the preparation and support KCE is giving to the Blendon Township Fire Department. Whether that focus was to reassure those with concerns about fire potential or because lithium batteries and fire go hand-in-hand was not differentiated or explained.
Madigan explained that KCE consultants had held a meeting with the fire department, emergency response team, and fire protection engineers because KCE wanted to create an open line of communication. Madigan wanted Chief Gurnaat and his department to feel “confident about the project and batteries in general” and “supported from the start.”
In mid July, KCE met with the Drain Commission staff and discussed the storm water protection measures that would be in place. And then on July 25, there was the open house and information meeting for the public. From that meeting, Madigan said he heard three chief concerns from residents: public safety, potential impacts to groundwater resources, and noise.
Madigan explained that an application had not yet been submitted because his team felt it was best to first engage with the community and understand the concerns so that the application could speak directly to those concerns.
On August 5, KCE met with Ottawa County Emergency Management staff to discuss the concerns around the project raised at the open house. On August 12th, Madigan sent a summary of the frequently asked questions to all the members of the community that had signed in at the open house.
The plan is to file next week for the Special Land Use application and to submit a site plan. Madigan said that he is confident that the application answers all of the questions that the public commenters raised, and that KCE is committed to being “a responsive, transparent, and cooperative developer” in the process.
Madigan concluded by asking those with questions to reach out, saying his team wants to make sure the township feels confident that the project is a compatible use for the location proposed.
At the end of the meeting, residents were not quick to leave. Several engaged with Madison, others gathered in groups in and outside the building.
It was obvious that though the meeting was over, the fight to save the community from a BESS was not.
Krista Yetzke is a native of Ottawa County. A jeep-driving, guitar-playing wife, mom, and everyday adventurer, Krista was raised on the love of Jesus, the great outdoors, the arts, the value of frugality, and the beauty of food as medicine.
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