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GLENVILLE — Concerned citizens gathered on Monday evening to share concerns about a proposed battery energy storage system, including environmental hazards, increased risk of fire and low benefit for the community, among other issues.

The new facility has been proposed for south of Glenville by Miami-based company Spearmint Energy.

According to Spearmint Energy’s website, battery energy storage systems reduce grid volatility, increase system resiliency, ensure reliable energy delivery and promote efficient and responsible energy with the potential to lower costs and support energy independence. The main components of these systems are lithium-ion batteries, inverters and cooling and safety systems.

The meeting, led by Dan Minear of Glenville, highlighted the potential risks and benefits of the new facility. It also covered what citizens can do to get involved, whether they are in favor of the facility or against it. At the end of the meeting, attendees were invited to voice their concerns and ask questions regarding the project.

Minear presented concerns about having the battery energy storage system in the Glenville-Emmons community, which included the environmental impact of having heavy metals near both community schools and freshwater sources as well as the risk of fire the facility poses.

In addition to safety risks, Minear said, many of the benefits, such as increased tax revenue and energy production, will not be significant enough to positively impact the Glenville-Emmons community.

“My question is, why put risk for no reward?” Minear said. “The risk is not zero.”

In case of a fire, he continued, the current standard operating procedure is to wait for the facility to burn out on its own, which can take days and lead to thermal runaway, heavy metal fallout from ash and poisoned groundwater.

Minear said BESS facilities are usually built in remote areas and small communities with an “uninformed public” who will not raise concerns. He proposed that the people in Freeborn County not become part of this statistic by doing research and getting involved.

Those who are opposed to the new facility were advised to call their mayor, county commissioner and state representatives as well as writing to Gov. Tim Walz. They were also urged to sign a petition, which was available at the meeting, and fill out a public comment form through the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission before March 10.

Those in favor of BESS coming to the area were encouraged to get defined commitments in writing from Spearmint Energy in case an emergency were to occur and request the state to require a large bond to facilitate out-of-pocket cost to the community, among other actions.

Citizens expressed concern over the facility being approved by the state without input from local government. They also feared the new facility would add stress to local fire and rescue workers should there be a fire.