CASSELTON, N.D. (KFGO) – Following the cancellation of a local energy moratorium vote, developers of a proposed $249 million battery storage facility told state regulators Friday that local officials cannot retroactively block the project, while assuring landowners that most of the site will remain in agricultural production.
Testifying before the North Dakota Public Service Commission in Casselton, Geronimo Power legal counsel Mollie Smith asserted the company has established “vested rights” under Harmony Township’s July zoning rules. The claim came under cross-examination by Commissioner Randy Christmann, who asked whether township supervisors could stop the 200-megawatt Harmony Storage project before construction begins.
“I can’t speculate as to what may or may not happen by the township, but I can say that the position of the company is that they’ve taken steps to vest rights under the existing ordinance,” Smith testified.
Geronimo contends the facility is an authorized permitted use tied to its neighboring Harmony Solar development. The hearing occurred a day after Harmony Township canceled votes on six proposed two-year energy moratoria when an attorney alleged that published hearing notices fell short of statutory notice deadlines.
Addressing landowner concerns over industrial encroachment on rural land, Geronimo developer Maddy Doeden testified that while the company controls a 74-acre parcel, the battery compound will occupy only 10 acres on a gravel pad inside a 12-acre fence. The remaining 60 acres outside the security perimeter will continue to be farmed.
Doeden confirmed Burns & McDonnell will build the facility using Tesla Megapack 3 technology. The site sits 4,800 feet from the closest residence and is expected to generate $1.1 million in local property taxes over its 30-year lifespan.
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