WHEATLAND, Wis. — Kenosha County leaders are pushing back against plans for a large battery energy storage facility in the Town of Wheatland after the developer submitted an application to state regulators.
Robin Energy Storage LLC filed an application with the Public Service Commission (PSC) on September 30 seeking approval to construct a 200-megawatt battery energy storage system on agricultural land in Wheatland.
The state filing comes after the company withdrew its local applications amid opposition to the project.
Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman accused Robin Energy of sidestepping the county’s moratorium by seeking approval from the state.
“I stand with the people of the Town of Wheatland and other Kenosha County residents in opposition to this project,” Kerkman said.
The Kenosha County Board voted unanimously in May to impose a 12-month moratorium on consideration of new battery energy storage permits and zoning approvals while county officials study the facilities and their potential impacts.
County Board Chairman Mark Nordigian and Supervisor Erin Decker said residents have raised concerns about fire safety, emergency response, environmental impacts, agricultural land use and the long-term effects of placing a large industrial energy facility in the area.
Kerkman also questioned the project’s benefit to Kenosha County, saying her understanding is that the facility would not provide new electricity to county residents or affect their power rates.
County officials are asking the Public Service Commission to consider the concerns of Wheatland residents and local leaders as it reviews Robin Energy’s application.
