Oakham, Massachusetts – A proposed 180-megawatt (MW) battery energy storage facility in the rural community of Oakham has ignited significant local opposition, setting the stage for a critical legal and environmental battle between residents, a private developer, and state regulators. Moraga Storage LLC, operating as Rhynland Energy, seeks to develop the facility on a 43-acre former auto salvage yard off Coldbrook Road. The project, currently under review by the state’s Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB), faces intense pushback from residents concerned about fire hazards and potential contamination of the Ware River Watershed, a vital drinking water source for 2.7 million people via the Quabbin Reservoir.

This dispute highlights a broader industry challenge: the balance between accelerating clean energy deployment and addressing localized environmental and safety concerns. Oakham residents previously successfully halted a similar project in 2022 by amending local zoning bylaws. However, Rhynland Energy is now leveraging a provision within the new clean energy law signed by Governor Maura Healey in 2024, which allows energy storage projects of at least 100 megawatt-hours (MWh) to receive a comprehensive exemption from local zoning if approved by the EFSB. This legislative pathway has intensified local frustration, with Aaron Langlois, co-founder of Advocates for Conservation of Oakham’s Rural Nature and Safety (ACRONS), describing the situation as a “David and Goliath” fight.

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) like the one proposed utilize lithium-ion technology to store electricity, typically charging during off-peak demand periods and discharging during high-peak times to enhance grid stability and profitability. While BESS units are crucial for integrating intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar, they can draw power from any source, including fossil fuels. Milosh Puchovsky, a fire protection engineering professor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, notes that while BESS addresses the intermittency of renewables, the energy source itself is agnostic.

Safety remains the paramount concern for Oakham residents and local officials. Fire Chief Tim Howe emphasizes that despite assurances of “safe technology,” the town lacks the resources, particularly water, to combat a large-scale lithium-ion battery fire. Such fires, caused by thermal runaway—an uncontrolled release of heat within a battery cell that can cascade to neighboring cells—are “rather difficult to stop” once initiated, according to Puchovsky. Past incidents, including fires at Vistra Energy’s Moss Landing site in California (January 2024), a five-day blaze in San Diego (2024), and a three-day fire in Warwick, New York (2023), have fueled these anxieties. The proposed Oakham facility would include 296 lithium-ion battery enclosures, each weighing approximately 84,000 pounds, with integrated cooling systems and sensors designed to meet NFPA standards. However, Chief Howe warns that even with safeguards, the risk of polluting metro Boston’s drinking water is too high.

In response to inquiries, Rhynland Energy stated that the project is being developed “in compliance with applicable state and federal regulations and includes modern safety systems designed to meet or exceed the established standards.” The company also highlighted its plan to remediate the former auto salvage yard. Massachusetts aims to lead the emerging energy storage market, with a target of 1,000 MWh by December 2025. As of July 2025, the state has 111 utility-scale battery storage projects with a total operating capacity of 302 MW, with seven facilities built in 2024. While more projects are expected, the Oakham case underscores the critical need for transparent dialogue and robust risk mitigation as the state advances its clean energy infrastructure.