The fire barn in Blendon Township was packed Monday evening, September 15. In anticipation of the large crowd, the Board meeting had been moved to the larger location, and the township’s attorney, Rob Redick, was on hand to “guide public comment.” Part of Redick's "guiding" included informing residents that the application by Key Capture Energy (KCE)—which would directly affect them—was available, but they would need to submit a FOIA. To demonstrate how much it would cost them, he held up a 4–5-inch binder, saying that it was merely half of the application’s size.

Redick said that while KCE’s application had been received, it had yet to be reviewed or decided upon. He then qualified the application saying that a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is an approvable land use in the agricultural district under Section 3.02 of the zoning ordinance, subject to compliance with the Special Land Use Standards.

To further “guide public comment,” Redick told the crowd that the Board has no authority to make a decision on, consider, or be involved in the application whatsoever. It is entirely the Planning Commission that will review and decide whether to grant or deny the application. And, if it’s denied, KCE can apply and obtain approval from the state, the Michigan Public Service Commission. The phrase, “There’s nothing the Board can do,” was repeated multiple times. Redick acknowledged attendees could still give comment, but their comments would be more appropriate at the Planning Commission meeting on October 6.

Not deterred, over the span of almost two hours, close to 50 residents gave public comment.

More had planned to speak but passed when their names were called because their topics had been covered. Residents came prepared, sharing research on all aspects of the issue. One resident already had submitted the FOIA and had so far read 600 of the 1400 pages of the application.

Concerns Centering on Safety and the Environment

Public commenters talked about needing clear answers around fire safety readiness, environmental safeguards, soil stability testing, zoning consistency, and long-term accountability. They rattled off risks of thermal runaway, exposure, and re-ignition. And beyond risks coming from the batteries, they explained that severe storms can cause physical damage to the facility, releasing chemicals and heavy metals into the environment.

Many had concerns about water and air pollution from toxic chemicals, asking questions about whether water runoff during firefighting would be tested for contaminants, and how that runoff would be contained. Several wondered about the local wells, saying that the runoff would go directly into the same aquifer that provides their family’s drinking water, and once contamination happens, there’s no going back. And not only was there talk about pollution to wells, but the area creeks and rivers that could be affected. One asked whether a source other than KCE would be performing the study on the environmental impact.

A woman asked what happens after an evacuation. What fumes will have permeated her carpet, drywall, and furniture? Will she have to tear down her home and rebuild? And in 20 years when the contract is up, will the batteries be removed and the land returned to farmland? Will the trees be replaced? Will the concrete be ground up? Who pays for that?

One resident said he was trying to understand what problem the batteries would solve. He explained that in the decades he has lived here, the power has gone out often. But it’s never because the power company doesn’t have enough power. It’s because the wind knocks a tree onto the line. “The way you’re trying to solve the problem, doesn’t solve the problem.” We don’t have brownouts.

Also wondering about the purpose, was a man who said from what he understood, a BESS project is designed to provide one to four hours of power. He pointed out that the amount of time doesn’t even replace a generator. “It does not make sense.” And for those thinking this is “green” energy, one resident had found that the battery material is stripped from overseas mines.

Concerns Unique to Farming and Rural Life

In most public comments, the worry was not only for the people but for the livestock and the crops. Some with cows talked about how they didn’t want to feed their cattle contaminated vegetation and repeatedly asked the Board what would happen in an evacuation. There’s nowhere that would be able take all the animals, feeding and milking them twice a day.  And what about the animals left behind inhaling toxic smoke? What happens to the meat?

One woman spoke about how much of her food comes from her garden, and that she cans 500 jars every year to feed her family. She added that she relies on that food and can’t have it contaminated.

These are generational farmers, some of whom have had this land in their family for over fifty years.

Residents Called for Accountability

One phrase was heard in public comments over and over, "We the People," reminding the Board that the Constitution derives its power not from Congress, a township, a governor, a planning commission, or a corporation like KCE, but from the people themselves. Some wondered if the power of those three words had been forgotten.

We the People, not We the Elected Officials.

“Please explain to me and everyone else in this room how they [Planning Commission] are the final decision-makers for this potentially dangerous and toxic, lithium battery energy storage system facility, when We the People did not chose them,” one resident said.

The Board was asked how much the project will cost taxpayers and who will be financially responsible for the cleanup if KCE walks away from the project. Another tax question was whether the elevating property tax will go down as their property values decrease because of having a BESS.

Several public commenters asked why the farmer who had signed the lease with KCE, Jordan Dekker, continued to be a member of the Planning Commission. They called his membership a “blatant conflict of interest” and said he should step down or be replaced.

Residents Called for Action

Many community members said they would stand behind the Board, imploring the members to do everything in their power to stop the BESS. One said it’s premature to turn the application over to the Planning Commission because the Blendon residents deserve the same level of protection and transparency that is expected for any other major development.

Several residents said that if the Board members didn’t want to fight for the residents and the BESS plan continued, they should resign their positions or be replaced.

"If the township Board is not involved, why does KCE keep bringing their presentations here?" one resident asked.

A public commenter addressed the money the project would supposedly bring in, highlighting that no one in the crowd would be getting a check in the mail. The township collects a lot of property tax, he said, but he never would have moved here if there was a battery facility. He asked the Board members to think about why they were elected and if this really benefits and serves the community, rather than corporations or politicians out of Lansing. Building onto that, a community member said there’s always talk about jobs being brought in, but what jobs has LG in Holland provided?

Another resident had looked into ordinances and found that, “No lot or parcel of land shall contain more than one main building or one principal use.” Dekker, the farmer leasing to KCE, would not be leasing for there to be another greenhouse, which is the current use of his property. The BESS would be a secondary use. Additionally, there was mention of Secretary Rawls from the USDA declaring that as of August 19, there will be no more solar farms in the United States that are funded by state tax dollars. Does this apply to BESS?

Michael Farage of the Michigan Republican Party approached the mic and told the Board, that the buck stops with them. “That is the biggest duty of an elected official, to represent the people. Property was put in our constitution for a reason…"  He added that If anyone on the Planning Commission profits from the BESS, it is a direct conflict of interest.

One said the Board was going to have to do a legal battle. Other places had done it, and the Board could too—a legal battle with PA233. Everything was orchestrated, another resident claimed. He said the Board needs to outsmart Lansing by replacing Consumers Energy with a locally controlled electric cooperative. “The Trump Administration… came through [with the Campbell Plant] thankfully, because of the township boards, and the county boards... They got it up to the president. They can help us.”

Speaking of the County, Blendon Township’s Commissioner, Joe Moss, Was in Attendance.

Commissioner Moss said that he’d heard the residents asking the Board to stand up and protect the township, and he encouraged the Board to listen to them. “Use your voice in the public square. Your constituents need to hear from you.” He acknowledged that these are not simple issues but added that people in Michigan are filing lawsuits against these types of applications. “Lawfare is an effective strategy… The principle is that government overreach must be challenged… More than 70 townships are suing the state over their bad policies. According to this particular lawsuit, ‘PA233 is both unlawful and unreasonable. It expands the MPSC jurisdiction and violates state law.’” Commissioner Moss concluded by recommending that the Board not be afraid of the lawsuit but instead should file one on behalf of the residents.

“What a beautiful opportunity to stand up for your constituents and have them back you no matter the outcome. Please fight for the people that have put you in these seats just for such a time as this,” Commissioner Moss said.

KCE Attempted to Give a Presentation

When it was time for the representatives from KCE to have their say, the crowd demanded answers. The residents weren’t satisfied with the slides and generic overview. They wanted details on what they deemed would upset their livelihoods and way of life. “All I hear are salesmen. Stop the sales pitch,” some called out.

KCE's Senior Manager Brian Madigan told the crowd he and his team would be available the next day from 2–8 pm to answer individual questions. His response didn’t satisfy the residents who wanted the benefit of hearing community members' questions and answers. Frustrated, half of the residents in the room walked out.

Madigan appeared frustrated as well, saying that since much of the concern was around risks to public health and safety, he would turn it over to his engineer, Andy.  

“So, let’s talk about the inevitable," Andy said. "If something were ever to occur at one of the sites, what is industry guidance? What are the general emergency response plans and procedures needed? Your ordinance, for instance, requires that an emergency response plan be developed for this site…”

Looking at two of Andy's sentences:

“So, let’s talk about the inevitable.” in·ev·i·ta·ble: certain to happen; unavoidable. incapable of being avoided or evaded.

“Your ordinance requires an emergency response plan for this site.” Why is it required, because an emergency is… inevitable?

Residents Encourage All to Be at the Planning Commission Meeting

As one public commenter said: “I'm very proud of this community. But fighting… you need to do it every single day…. John F. Kennedy, Charlie Kirk, and other people far greater than us, paid an ultimate sacrifice. So did our parents for everything, our grandparents. So did a lot of people overseas in the wars who we don't even know their names. We owe them an obligation. A local fight is what they fought for.”

And lastly, a resident shared two thoughts to inspire her community:

"Courage is the ability to do the right thing all the time no matter how painful or uncomfortable it may be." Tony Dungy, Former Colts Head Coach.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on this application on October 6.

‍