Mountain Home Town Hall Meeting on Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) — June 25, 2026

Commissioner Rich Paces hosted a town hall meeting in Mountain Home on Thursday, June 25, 2026 to discuss the proposed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project near the LCRA substation at Ranch Road 479 and I-10. The presentation covered how BESS facilities work, the fire and safety risks they present, real-world incidents from across the country, and the regulatory and legal tools Kerr County is using to protect residents and property values.

Download the full presentation below:

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Disclaimer: This post is based on the presentation materials and remarks from the June 25, 2026 town hall meeting. It is an unofficial summary provided for informational purposes only and should be verified against official county records, the original presentation slides, and Commissioner Paces' public remarks.

Key Takeaways from the Mountain Home BESS Town Hall

What Is a BESS?

A Battery Energy Storage System is a containerized installation of lithium-ion batteries, HVAC units, control systems, and disconnect switches. It is used to charge and discharge power back into the grid for short periods — typically only a few hours — to stabilize intermittent renewable generation. It is not a renewable or new source of energy.

Safety and Environmental Concerns

• Thermal runaway: Lithium-ion batteries can enter an uncontrollable overheating chain reaction, leading to fires and explosions that are extremely difficult to extinguish.
• Rural firefighting limitations: Local volunteer fire departments lack the specialized foam and water volume needed to fight a large BESS fire. Standard protocol is often to let the facility burn out.
• Toxic release: Runaway BESS fires release hazardous gases such as hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide, methane, and formaldehyde, which can contaminate soil, creeks, rivers, and shallow groundwater.
• Property values: BESS facilities can dramatically lower the value of adjacent land.
• No long-term local jobs: These are largely unmanned facilities; property taxes are the only local economic benefit.
• Foreign supply chain and cybersecurity: Many BESS components, controllers, and circuit boards are manufactured abroad, primarily in China, raising cybersecurity and grid vulnerability concerns.
• Weak regulations: Texas has inadequate rules covering siting, fire containment, decommissioning, and eventual disposal of lithium batteries.

Real-World Incidents

The presentation cited several BESS failures, including the January 2025 Moss Landing, California fire that burned for five days, forced evacuations, closed portions of Highway 1, and led to lawsuits. Other incidents occurred in South Korea (23 fires in 2018–2019), Surprise and Chandler, Arizona, Chaumont and Warwick, New York, and Otay Mesa, California.

The Mountain Home Project

The proposed East-West Energy BESS at the 7750 Mountain Home LCRA Substation (Ranch Road 479 and I-10) is a planned $90 million, 120 MW lithium battery facility with a target operational date of June 30, 2027. The landowner is SOLAREIT2-A-III LLC. Key local concerns include:

• Proximity to Interstate 10 and the risk of fire or smoke disrupting a major highway corridor.
• Considerable undeveloped land adjacent to the site, which could be affected by smoke, water runoff, or toxic releases.
• Thermal runaway risk from aggregated lithium batteries.
• Local volunteer fire department capacity to contain a fire, including the massive water volume required.
• Cybersecurity of critical grid infrastructure so close to a major highway.

Regulatory and Legal Landscape

• Authorities Having Jurisdiction: Kerr County Commissioners' Court and the Emergency Services District can act as the AHJ, adopt applicable fire and safety codes, and contract with independent experts to review plans.
• Fire Marshal permit fee schedule: Kerr County adopted a fee schedule tied to project valuation. A $90 million BESS project would pay roughly $182,181 in permit fees.
• Expert review: The county has engaged premier safety experts, including Dr. Robert Steele of Columbia Power Systems, to review BESS documentation and advise on deficiencies.
• Chapter 391 Sub-Regional Planning Commission: Kerr, Kendall, and Gillespie counties are working together through HCESRPC to coordinate opposition, push for stronger legislation, and communicate with the PUCT and ERCOT.
• Legislative action: During the 89th Legislative Session, 12 House and 7 Senate bills were proposed; only two passed both chambers. HB 3824 requires the State Fire Marshal's Office to adopt minimum BESS fire safety rules, and HB 3809 mandates decommissioning requirements and financial assurance for certain BESS leases.
• Legal avenues: Other counties have sought temporary restraining orders against BESS developers. HCESRPC is also exploring legal action against PUCT to force planning coordination.

Grid Context

According to ERCOT data, Texas increasingly relies on intermittent wind and solar generation. Storage capacity is projected to surge by 197% by 2030, while reliable thermal (dispatchable) generation is only expected to grow by about 10%. This shift raises concerns about grid stability and the national security implications of foreign-made battery components controlling critical infrastructure.

Questions or Concerns?

Commissioner Paces encourages residents to stay informed and engaged. You can contact him at richard.paces@ccourt.kerrcountytx.gov or by phone at (830) 343-9107. Additional BESS resources are available at www.HCESRPC.com.