MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
ED Note: We made an edit to the previous edition to make it clearer that this is an actual business meeting.
Reno County commissioners are inviting the public to take part in a discussion about two emerging industries that have generated significant interest and debate in recent weeks.
The Reno County Board of Commissioners will hold a business meeting on Monday at 6 p.m. at the Reno County Courthouse to discuss potential regulations for battery energy storage systems, commonly known as BESS, and data centers. The meeting will also be streamed live on the county's YouTube channel.
The meeting was scheduled following a lengthy discussion during the commission's June 9 meeting, when commissioners considered proposals to prohibit the two types of developments in unincorporated areas of the county.
A motion to ban battery energy storage systems failed on a 3-2 vote. Commissioners Randy Parks and Don Bogner supported the proposal, while Commissioners Ron Vincent, Richard Winger and Ron Hirst voted against it.
A separate proposal to prohibit data centers failed on a 4-1 vote, with Parks casting the lone vote in opposition
Although no formal applications for either type of project have been submitted to Reno County, commissioners said public concerns about the potential impacts of such developments prompted the discussion. Concerns raised by residents have included safety, environmental issues, land use and infrastructure demands.
Commissioners emphasized that last week's votes were not tied to any specific project but rather addressed whether the county should enact broad prohibitions on the industries before any proposals are received.
County Administrator Randy Partington said that they scheduled the meeting so that they can send action to the planning commission that meets on June 18.
County officials encourage residents interested in the topic to attend the meeting in person or watch the live stream on the county's YouTube channel.