Taylorville, IL (WAND) – As conversations about renewable energy continue, many Taylorville residents have questioned whether battery storage facilities fit in their community.
“What I’ve seen just researching today before the meeting is not something I would want near my house,” said resident Amelia Shoemaker.
Battery storage facilities could eventually become part of Taylorville’s landscape. On Monday night, city leaders approved an ordinance on regulating future projects.
“It’s a pretty restrictive ordinance. So, I don’t know offhand if there’s any place in Taylorville that would meet the requirements of the ordinance to house the battery storage,” said Mayor Bruce Barry.
Many residents feel the ordinance was not clearly identified on the City Council’s agenda. The agenda used the acronym “BESS,” which stands for Battery Energy Storage Systems.
Shoemaker said public trust is declining.
“We just want more information and more transparency. When we do show up, it’s like our voice doesn’t matter because it’s already been decided,” Shoemaker said.
While there is no battery storage facility currently proposed in Taylorville, city leaders say they’re trying to get ahead of the issue by setting rules now instead of reacting later.
“I think the main reason that we wanted to get the ordinance in place was our fire chief had informed us that we needed some type of ordinance, or they would come in here anyhow and probably get in places where really the City Council didn’t want them to,” said Barry.
Barry reassures residents that the ordinance was thoroughly communicated and is ultimately meant to protect the city.
