A proposed battery energy storage system and solar farm by AES Indiana has ignited fierce opposition from residents who fear catastrophic fires and toxic hazards just miles from local schools. At the October 6 commissioners’ meeting near Old Holland Road, west of Huntingburg Airport, neighbors filled the room to demand answers, citing the project’s proximity to Southridge High and Middle School, Holland Elementary, and Huntingburg Elementary—all within roughly two miles. The concerns center on lithium battery “thermal runaway,” a failure mode that can trigger fires lasting days and release flammable gases.

Terri Bartelt, a local resident, warned: “These battery systems are prone to thermal runaway, a condition where overheating causes chemical fires that are extremely difficult to extinguish.

When batteries undergo thermal runaway or are otherwise damaged, they can release flammable and toxic gases.” She cited recent examples, including a 2023 blaze at California’s Moss Landing facility and a 2023 Arizona incident, warning of possible soil contamination and long-term health effects. Randy Bartelt, whose farm borders the site, added: “If there would be a fire, the way I understand it we’d probably be wasteland.” With prevailing winds that could carry smoke toward Huntingburg, residents questioned the county’s readiness—no specialized training, no evacuation plan, and little communication from AES, which notified only select neighbors by mail on August 18. The project, separate from the nearby Duff Solar initiative, promises renewable energy but raises concerns about farmland loss and safety.

Critics fear it could turn productive land into a “solar wasteland” while offering limited local benefit. County officials said their authority is limited. Commissioner Chad Blessinger explained: “I researched it, and the county doesn’t have any power to permit it or stop it.” Under Indiana law, counties cannot charge fees or regulate utility-scale renewable projects beyond setbacks and noise.

Blessinger emphasized property rights but promised to review safety data once the state evaluates the plan. Councilman Alex Hohl asked whether AES would fund fire department training and expressed concern over the site’s wind exposure. The debate underscores Dubois County’s uneasy balance between clean energy ambitions and community safety. While AES promotes sustainability, locals see risks to their children and rural way of life.

The company has pledged a public open house later this year, but many remain skeptical. As Terri Bartelt summed up, “We don’t want the legacy of this county to be a solar wasteland.” For now, the county awaits state regulators’ decision—while residents prepare for another round in a growing fight to defend their home ground.