Benton County, AR Residents Against Battery Storage Sites - SMT LLC

12/22/2023

Today's article on yesterday's outcome.

The Benton County Planning Board on Wednesday night denied a plan for a battery energy storage facility near Gravette, but did approve a similar facility to be built near Siloam Springs.

12/21/2023

We thank each and every person who showed up, signed the petition, shared the word, and supported us. We truly wish the Board had voted to deny both projects. Be assured that other companies will be looking to build and move in, and we hope that the Fire Marshall will carefully weigh the tough decisions that are in front of him for Siloam Springs.

In two weeks, we got over 400 signatures and several of our neighbors came together in ways that are often unheard of in today's world of disconnect. We encourage all citizens of Benton County to always research, stay informed, and vote to protect each other.

12/21/2023

The Board voted 4-2 to approve the Siloam Chamber Springs site with several stipulations - approval and documents of an on site well, a berm, a 100 year rainwater study, and full training of local fire and ems with final approval from the County Fire Marshall.

12/21/2023

The Planning Board voted 6-1 to deny the Bethlehem road site. SMT Energy can still apply for an appeal process through the court system, and were told they could apply again in 1-2 years time with the recommendation that they seek a more rural area.

Currently still debating and answering questions about the Chamber Springs road site as of 9:14pm.

12/20/2023

The NWA Democrat Gazette featured an article about the proposed sites today. See it here.

BENTONVILLE -- A Colorado company that wants to build two battery energy storage facilities in Benton County will be back before the Planning Board on Wednesday night.

12/12/2023

We are still working to spread awareness, meet with local residents, share the petition, and gather information. Currently, we sit at around 340 petition signatures and growing every day. We've set the goal to reach 500 by next Wednesday's (Dec. 20th) meeting, so help us keep this up by sharing and telling others. We believe in our communities and the power of making our voices heard: that we deserve more research and more answers. Currently, SMT can't tell us who would even make the batteries that would be placed on these sites as that would be contracted out at a later date. How can we research and know that it's a company with safe practices, testing battery failure rates, and see if there are other incidents at places that have used that company's batteries? Don't our residents deserve to know who our new neighbors are with this proposed plan?

We appreciate every person that has liked, shared, followed, comments, asked questions, and just interacted in general. Great citizenship comes with being informed and asking questions of each other and of our government.

12/12/2023

Halt the Construction of Lithium Ion Battery Storage Facilities in Benton County

12/10/2023

KNWA did a quick report about the proposed BESS site on Bethlehem road. Although it's a small segment and can't fully cover all the possible factors, we appreciate the help of the media to get the word out and help share residents and neighbors concerns. Please note, much of the interviews are out of context. None of these residents currently WANT to move. These are their homes they've invested time and money in, and for some they raised their whole families here, but they don't want to live next to a BESS and would gladly move if it is approved.

Please keep spreading the word, sharing the petition, writing to Benton County Planning Board members, and we highly encourage everyone possible to come to the December 20th Planning Board meeting. More information for all of these outlets are on our page, or visit www.nobess.org.

https://www.nwahomepage.com/northwest-arkansas-news/benton-county-residents-petition-to-stop-construction-of-battery-energy-storage-facility-in-their-neighborhoods/

SMT is proposing to place a battery energy storage facility in two locations in Benton County and some residents feel like this will make their neighborhoods unsafe.