The Issue
Durango and Hesperus residents are deeply concerned and opposed to the proposed Shenandoah BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) project on CR 125 and the proposed Primergy solar industrial complex off HWY 141. These would be large facilities consisting of 20 MW and 155 MW (respectively) tractor-trailer sized units containing thousands of lithium iron phosphate batteries in each. We are petitioning to demand that La Plata County extend the current moratorium on construction of BESS facilities until a TRUE public consensus can be reached regarding safety standards and site locations.
Consider the following:
- Large scale BESS do not belong in any residential area.
- Large scale BESS do not belong near our recreational areas.
- Large scale BESS do not belong in high risk fire areas.
- BESS facilities are known to be fire risks, and the CR 125 site is a high risk fire area.
- Large scale BESS lithium battery facilities are known to have air and ground polluting hazards.
- The Durango fire department has stated that no La Plata County station is prepared to fight a BESS fire.
- There is no way to put out lithium fires, the approach is to "let it burn" which can go on for days and sometimes weeks.
- In the event of fire, prevailing winds can send a toxic chemical plume containing hydrogen fluoride, heavy metal particulates and carbon monoxide towards the Lake Durango (a vital water source for thousands of residents) 1.1 miles away, and possibly Lake Nighthorse, 3 miles away. Residents in or near the plume will be evacuated.
- In the event of fire, prevailing winds could cause fire to spread to Rafter J and then on to Durango.
- There will be up to 90 dB of noise pollution to the surrounding area, 24/7.
- Homeowners insurance is known to increase near commercial BESS sites due to increased fire risk, and property values decrease.
- The proposed Primergy site is on fertile pastureland directly in an elk migratory pathway.
- Once a BESS is installed in a residential community, the precedent is set; thereafter BESS can be installed in any residential area.
- Finding better energy solutions are imperative, but not when they threaten the lives and ecosystem of our beautiful county.
- La Plata County does NOT need another preventable environmental disaster the scale of the Silverton/Animus River spill and the 416 fire, combined.
- If BESS does come to La Plata County, it must done with responsible siting and true community input.
Please join us in signing this petition so we can protect our community’s safety and preserve our precious environment for generations to come.
See the link below for more information:
BESS Hazards and Failure Modes