Welcome to MI Safety

Protecting Michigan Communities with Facts, Not Promises

🔍 What’s Happening in Oshtemo Township (Kalamazoo, MI)

In August 2025, representatives from NewEdge Power presented information on a utility-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Oshtemo Township — a project that could place hundreds of semi-trailer-sized lithium-ion batteries just 300 feet from home walls.

Developers have described similar systems as “safe” and “remotely managed.” However, public records and national safety data show that multiple BESS facilities across Michigan and the U.S. have experienced fires, toxic releases, and lengthy cleanup processes.

The growing number of BESS-related fires nationwide has led several local governments in states such as California and New York to pause or restrict new battery projects near residential areas while reviewing safety protocols.

Oshtemo residents deserve transparency, safety, and facts — not sales pitches.

⚠️ Why It Doesn't Belong Near Homes

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are often promoted as clean-energy solutions, yet safety research continues to identify risks related to thermal runaway and fire containment. Current regulations are still evolving to address these concerns.

  • The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) guidelines allow BESS installations as close as 300 feet to homes — even though U.S. Department of Transportation emergency response guidelines recommend half-mile evacuation zones for similar hazardous materials.
  • More than 150 documented BESS incidents worldwide show that fires, while not constant, are a recurring problem — and often cannot be extinguished with traditional methods.
  • FEMA-funded research confirms lithium-ion instability remains a major safety risk.
  • Many developers are working quickly to qualify for federal incentives — including tax credits of up to 70% federal tax credits and 80% loan guarantees — before program deadlines. Observers worry that rapid development could reduce time for thorough safety and environmental review.

“Lithium-ion battery fires pose unique challenges due to their intense heat, potential for explosions, and release of toxic gases,” said Amanda Kimball, executive director of Fire Protection Research Foundation (FPRF). “These incidents not only endanger firefighters but also the public, as these batteries are commonly found in consumer products and electric vehicles.”

🧭 Our Goal

We support renewable energy — but we oppose unsafe siting or insufficient oversight that could put neighborhoods, schools, or farmland at risk.

Our mission is simple:

  • Inform residents with clear, factual information.
  • Urge the township to pass an Energy Ordinance that protects Oshtemo Residents.
  • Call on the MPSC and Legislators to strengthen state-level safety standards before approving more dangerous projects.

💬 Get Involved

This issue affects all of us. If you live within 1 mile of a proposed BESS project, real estate disclosure laws may require you to inform potential buyers about the project’s proximity and potential impact.

  • Contact the MPSC and demand stronger BESS regulations.
  • Urge Oshtemo Township to create a CREO and have some local oversight.
  • Share our site to help neighbors understand what’s coming.
  • Follow Us on Facebook for the latest information.
  • 📧 Join our mailing list to stay informed on local hearings and actions.

📍 Learn More

Michigan Focus

Understand what’s happening across the state — including in Oshtemo, Comstock, Bangor, and Decatur — and how Michigan law (PA 233 of 2023) removed local authority to stop unsafe projects. 👉 Explore Michigan Articles →

National Incidents

Learn from what’s already gone wrong in other states: fires in California, Arizona, and New York, evacuations, and billion-dollar losses. 👉 Explore U.S. Articles →

🧾 Quick Facts

Knowledge is power — and our community deserves both.