| Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), large-scale lithium battery installations increasingly proposed near residential areas, came up at both the Oshtemo Township Board meeting on May 12 and the Planning Commission on May 14. Residents raised concerns about fire risk, heat, noise from cooling systems, and the impact on rural character. Township attorney Porter provided an update on recent court rulings that have limited local ordinance authority over BESS, and the board discussed the possibility of advocating in Lansing for stronger local control. The Planning Commission heard additional public comment and discussed the timeline for a draft ordinance, with a goal of having something ready by June. The township is navigating a narrow legal window to shape how, and whether, these projects can be sited in residential areas. |
| Plus: One longtime resident and former zoning board member offered a detailed technical perspective on BESS, including heat dissipation challenges and the economics of energy storage resale. |
Watch the public comments from the Oshtemo Township Planning Commission Meeting.
