What is a BESS?
A Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is a facility filled with semi-trailer sized lithium-ion batteries on concrete pads, often by the hundreds. They store electricity and release it later to support the grid when needed.
What is the concern with BESS near homes?
Developers and utility companies note that BESS is a relatively new and evolving technology. Many residents and safety experts believe the risks may remain significant and warrant further testing and regulation.
Potential Concerns Reported with BESS Facilities:
- Fire and explosion hazards
- Toxic or chemical contamination from fire events
- Health concerns related to air quality during incidents
- Light and noise impacts
- Possible property-value impacts
- Potential reductions in tax revenue if property values decline
- Questions about insurability
- Security and cybersecurity vulnerabilities
- Unclear decommissioning and disposal responsibilities
Do BESS catch fire often?
More than 150 Battery Energy Storage System incidents have been documented worldwide since 2017, according to publicly available safety and research reports. As more facilities are built, reported incidents have also increased — underscoring ongoing safety challenges with lithium-ion technology.
These fires are not isolated incidents but reflect an ongoing safety challenge associated with thermal runaway in large-scale lithium-ion systems. While the cells used in BESS differ from those in electric vehicles or consumer devices, they share similar lithium ion chemical properties that can cause intense, hard-to-extinguish fires when damaged or overheated.
October 1, 2025 – Peoria, AZ BESS Fire
Why does a BESS catch fire?
The main cause is thermal runaway — when one overheated or failing battery cell spreads heat to others, creating a chain reaction.
Investigations into several BESS fires have identified contributing factors, including design and manufacturing issues or maintenance-related failures — underscoring the need for stronger standards and consistent oversight.
Are only old BESS catching fire?
No. Several major incidents — including Peoria, AZ (2025), Moss Landing, CA (2022) and Escondido, CA (2024) — involved recently constructed facilities.
Industry reports have noted an increase in reported defects in large-scale storage systems, which some analysts link to rapid development timelines as companies aim to qualify for available federal incentives.
Can a BESS be shut down remotely if there is an issue?
Once a lithium-ion cell becomes unstable, it cannot be safely discharged or “shut off.”
Operators can remotely isolate or de-energize unaffected units, but a cell in thermal runaway continues to generate heat and gas until the reaction stops on its own.
In the 2024 Escondido, CA incident, damaged batteries remained hazardous for months because they could not be safely neutralized. 👉 Read about BESS fire response →
Do we even need BESS in Michigan?
The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) confirmed in August 2025 that the state currently has sufficient capacity to meet demand through 2030 without additional storage projects. 👉 Read about BESS oversaturation →
How big is the proposed Oshtemo BESS?
The NewEdge Power proposal was explained to the Oshtemo Township Planning Commission on August 14, 2025 to be a 5 acre, 216-260 MW+ facility. Oshtemo officials have not yet released details of the application. 👉 Follow the Oshtemo BESS updates →
But Won’t a Nearby BESS lower my electricity bill?
To date, there is limited public data showing that utility-scale BESS projects have directly lowered consumer electricity bills. The primary financial benefits — such as federal tax credits and avoided capacity costs — generally accrue to developers and utilities, while ratepayers ultimately fund system costs through utility rates.
What happens when a BESS catches fire?
In most cases, BESS fires cannot be fully extinguished; instead, firefighters focus on containment to prevent spread. Units are typically allowed to burn out over several days, releasing toxic gases and requiring extended evacuations or shelter-in-place orders. 👉 Read about BESS firefighting challenges →
What happens to the land around a BESS?
Some studies on large energy facilities have found potential declines in nearby property values, particularly when noise, visual, or safety concerns are present. Proximity to BESS sites may further affect resale potential due to fire-risk perception, possible contamination, or continuous mechanical noise from cooling systems. Real estate laws may also require disclosure of proximity to a BESS.
Why would a landowner want a BESS on their land?
Developers frequently offer significant lease payments to secure land near substations — making such projects financially attractive to property owners. In some cases, landowners may not live near the leased parcel and therefore may not personally experience potential operational impacts… 👉 Read more about developer incentives →
Why should landowners take caution before signing a BESS lease?
Many BESS developers are newer companies with limited operating histories. It is common for firms to establish individual LLCs for each project to manage financial exposure. Past cases in the broader energy industry illustrate that when accidents or bankruptcies occur, liability and cleanup responsibilities can become complex, potentially creating challenges for landowners.
Is this the same as the BESS in the news for Comstock?
It is the same type of project. In Comstock Township, MI, a BESS facility is slated to be constructed near a school, which has generated significant public concern. According to meeting transcripts, several Oshtemo Board Members expressed general support for BESS development under state authority, while some residents voiced concerns about siting near residential areas.. 👉 Read about the Comstock case →
Why are so many of these being installed in Michigan?
Developers are moving quickly to qualify for federal tax incentives and loan-guarantee programs that remain available through 2033 — initiatives funded by public revenue. Nationwide, the number of operating battery-storage projects increased from about 178 in 2024 to more than 830 by October 2025, according to industry data. 👉 Read about the danger of rushed construction →
Why doesn’t the Oshtemo Township Board just say no?
Under Michigan Public Act 233 of 2023, townships and cities cannot block BESS projects that meet state standards. The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has final approval authority.
Oshtemo can retain some input by adopting a local Energy Ordinance that closely mirrors state rules; otherwise, the MPSC assumes full jurisdiction. Meeting transcripts indicate that several Oshtemo Board members expressed general support for BESS development under state oversight.
Ok, this is the last thing I want my family to live near – What can I do as a resident?
You are not alone, there is a growing number of Oshtemo Residents speaking out – there is strength in numbers.
- Stay informed through the Protect SW Michigan: Say NO to the Oshtemo BESS.
- Contact the MPSC with comments — they have final authority under state law (PA 233 of 2023).
- Contact Your Local Legislators and share your concerns.
- Communicate with landowners leasing property for these projects.
- Urge the Michigan Senate Committee to hold hearings on legislation restoring local control.
- Speak at Oshtemo Township Meetings and encourage adoption of a township Energy Ordinance that prioritizes residential safety.
How safe is “close enough” to a utility-scale BESS site?
Federal emergency-response guidance from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) recommends evacuation distances of roughly 0.5 miles (2,640 feet) for many hazardous chemical spills due to the potential release of toxic gases.
By contrast, Michigan’s Public Act 233 of 2023 allows Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to be sited as close as 300 feet from residential property lines.
While each situation differs, several BESS incidents across the United States have prompted mandatory evacuations ranging from 2 to 8 miles and have taken days to fully stabilize. Environmental reports following some of these events have identified chemical by-products in surrounding soil and water, underscoring concerns about post-fire contamination.
👉 Learn more about hazardous spill regulations →
The list of BESS Incidents Continues to Grow in 2025
The most recent occurred on October 1, 2025, in Peoria, Arizona, where three fire departments worked for approximately eight hours to contain a large BESS fire. Rather than extinguish the batteries directly — which is often not possible once thermal runaway begins — crews focused on cooling nearby equipment and preventing additional units from igniting.
That facility was roughly one-ninth the capacity of the BESS proposed for Oshtemo Township and required a substantial emergency response and safety perimeter, according to media reports.
October 1, 2025 Arizona Bess Fire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o1XLurG1fE ,https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/massive-fire-breaks-out-peoria-battery-storage-facility
And September 24, 2025’s BESS Fire in Boulder City, Nevada
Tesla battery fire at Boulder City solar facility burns for hours, prompts multi-agency response: https://www.ktnv.com/news/fire-breaks-out-at-townsite-solar-in-boulder-city
Towns and States Are Starting to Say NO to BESS
What Has Been Done in Michigan to Fight BESS?
- Communities like Comstock have voiced objections during local meetings and invested in safety studies.
- Several school districts have requested additional safety studies before projects move forward.
- When certain locations meet public resistance, developers sometimes seek alternate parcels nearby, offering substantial lease payments to secure new sites.
- A coalition of 70 communities and organizations has filed legal action seeking to restore local permitting authority for renewable and storage projects. Michigan Townships Association – Renewable Energy Siting and Permitting
In 2025, the Michigan House of Representatives passed House Bills 4027 and 4028, which would return some siting power to local governments by rolling back parts of Public Act 233 (2023). The bills passed on a 58–48 vote but are now under review in the Senate Government Operations Committee.
According to bill sponsor Rep. Greg Alexander, the measures were referred to committee, where many bills often expire without a vote if no further action is taken.