Neighbors Seek Moratorium as AES Battery Project Nears Schools

Dozens of residents near the planned AES Crossvine battery energy storage system appeared before Dubois County commissioners on November 4 with a petition of more than 100 signatures asking officials to impose a moratorium and demand greater transparency. The proposed installation is an 85 megawatt, 4 hour facility composed of 92 enclosures, sited less than two miles from Holland Elementary and within a couple of miles of several schools in nearby Huntingburg. Neighbors and town leadership have raised alarms about firefighter safety and the risks associated with large lithium ion battery fires, which can become thermal runaway events that burn for days and produce toxic smoke.

Residents told county officials that communication from the developer has been limited and pressed for stronger setback requirements, clearer assurances about decommissioning, and more robust planning for first responder actions. Those concerns center on the need for coordinated emergency response and clear protocols should a large fire or toxic smoke event occur. The proximity to multiple schools has heightened urgency for parents, teachers, and local officials weighing the risks for children and school operations.

Representatives for AES informed the county that the installation would be built to NFPA 855 standards and that a hazard mitigation analysis had been completed. AES also indicated plans to provide first responder training, undertake community outreach, and hold an open house in November. County leaders said they will review submitted permits, the decommissioning plan, and relevant ordinance language before deciding on next steps, and commissioners expect the topic to return to a future meeting.

For Perry County residents the episode is a reminder that energy infrastructure decisions in neighboring jurisdictions can have cross county consequences. Firefighting resources and mutual aid agreements often operate across county lines, schools serve students who travel from multiple communities, and air borne hazards do not respect municipal borders. Local emergency management and school officials may need to monitor the situation and engage with Dubois County counterparts to ensure coordinated planning if the project proceeds.

The debate also fits within a broader, global conversation about the rapid deployment of lithium ion energy storage and how to manage associated risks while meeting renewable energy goals. Standards such as NFPA 855 aim to provide a common framework, but implementation details, community engagement, and local geography shape how safely a given facility can operate. Residents seeking more information can follow Dubois County commission agendas and attend the AES open house in November, while county officials will determine whether the petition and technical documents merit a temporary moratorium or ordinance changes.