Upset residents address Gun Plain with data center concerns

At a recent Gun Plain Township Board Meeting, a large and vocal group of residents expressed anger and fear regarding a proposed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and the current four-month data center moratorium. Attendees voiced ecological concerns about BESS fires and compared the township's shorter moratorium unfavorably to longer ones in other communities. Following public comments, Township Supervisor Michael VanDenBerg addressed the board's work on a data center ordinance. He explained the initial four-month moratorium was based on legal advice but stated his intention to propose extending it to twelve months to adequately draft a comprehensive ordinance, emphasizing the need for legal defensibility. VanDenBerg also clarified that state law, specifically Public Acts 233 and 234, restricts townships from outright banning businesses like data centers or BESS projects, and limits their ability to revoke permits for approved renewable energy projects, allowing only fines for non-compliance. He also reassured residents that, contrary to social media rumors, the township has not received any data center applications. The BESS project is currently under review by the Planning Commission, with requirements being assessed by the township's attorney before a final recommendation is made to the board. Separately, County Commissioner Gale Dugan reported on the Senior Millage and tornado recovery efforts, while board members discussed transparency and public meeting accessibility.