The Chesapeake Planning Commission voted on Wednesday to recommend the city council deny a conditional use permit application for a proposed battery energy storage system in Hickory.
Mill Stone Energy Center, a subsidiary of Charlottesville-based energy company East Point Energy, requested the permit for a battery energy storage system off Centerville Turnpike South.
According to its permit application, the battery storage system would store electricity from solar and wind energy sources to use during times of higher demand, power outages and emergencies.
The facility would take up about 31 acres of a 112-acre parcel of land, which the proposal said would allow Mill Stone Energy Center to decrease its environmental impact. The building would be over a quarter-mile from the closest residence and about two-thirds of a mile from Hickory Middle School.
“Our intent is to build a facility that’s not seen or heard or disruptive in any way to the neighbors,” Maggie Howe, the vice president of project development for East Point Energy, said.
Public commenters who spoke in support of the storage system said it would help offer sustainable energy, decrease energy bills and strengthen the city’s electric infrastructure. But other speakers questioned if the facility would change the rural and residential character of the Hickory area.
Neighbors raised concerns about the storage center’s proximity to schools, fire hazards and impacts on local well water. Some cited a January 2025 fire at a battery storage plant in Moss Landing, California, that closed schools and caused large evacuations.
David Williams, who lives in the neighborhood by the potential facility location, questioned the safety of residents if something were to go wrong.
“We have all wells. Is somebody going to set up regular testing for our wells? Who’s going to be responsible? What is your backup plan when it burns down? It’s covered in trees, there’s not a fire break anywhere,” Williams said.
When asked by Planning Commission Member Jennifer Gilman about the response time in case of an incident, Howe said the company would have a person on the physical site within four hours or less.
Planning Commission Member Nathaniel Williams asked about the safety of the lithium batteries and the potential for thermal runaway, or uncontrolled heating of a battery that can lead to explosion. A representative from the Fire & Risk Alliance replied there was no extinguishing agent that could stop it.
After three hours of public comment, questions from the commission and discussion, the commission voted 7-1 to recommend the city council deny the permit.
“I don’t believe that this proposal reflects the vision residents have fought hard to preserve for Hickory, and I don’t believe the applicant has demonstrated why this use belongs here,” Vice Chair Barbara Sgueglia said.
Michael Malone was the sole vote against the denial recommendation. Member Clayton Spruill was absent.
The Chesapeake City Council will have the final vote next month.