A battery storage facility is being proposed in a rural Mass. town. Residents are pushing back.

In Oakham, Massachusetts, residents are actively opposing a proposed 180-megawatt lithium battery storage facility by Moraga Storage LLC, citing significant environmental and safety risks. The facility, intended for a site previously used as an auto salvage yard, raises alarms about potential fires that could contaminate the Ware River Watershed, a vital drinking water source for 2. 7 million people. The Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) is currently reviewing the proposal, which aims to circumvent local zoning laws that residents successfully amended in 2022 to block similar projects. Fire Chief Tim Howe asserts that while the community supports clean energy, they remain deeply concerned about the project's implications.

Experts warn that lithium batteries can undergo thermal runaway, leading to severe fires, as seen in recent incidents at other facilities. Residents, including Aaron Langlois of the nonprofit ACORNS, feel they are in a "David and Goliath" battle against a powerful energy developer. The community now faces a critical decision as they strive to protect their environment against the backdrop of evolving clean energy regulations. The outcome of this proposal could set a precedent for future energy projects in rural areas.