An inquiry about a battery storage project on City land
In keeping with our commitment to do this in the open, I want to share an inquiry the City recently received.
What happened. On Friday, June 12, 2026, the City received an email and phone call from Silverton Power, a company that develops small battery energy storage systems (BESS). They expressed interest in leasing or purchasing about one acre of City-owned land near the existing Evergy substation — a small, roughly one-acre facility, not a large industrial complex.
This is exactly what we’ve been preparing for. We have been developing the proposed overlay framework and these public materials before being approached — precisely so that, when an inquiry like this came, the rules of engagement would already be defined and the City would not be caught off guard. That’s now playing out as intended.
What the City has done. Before agreeing to any meeting, I responded and asked Silverton Power for detailed information — including the company’s background and track record, the proposed project’s size and technology, fire-safety and emergency-response plans, decommissioning and financial assurance, interconnection, and typical lease or purchase terms. Silverton has replied, and the City is now reviewing their response.
No decision has been made. No agreement has been reached and no project has been approved. Any path forward would be a deliberate, public decision — and we will not be rushed.
What’s next. This inquiry will be discussed at the City Council meeting on Monday, June 22, 2026. Residents are welcome and encouraged to attend.
We’ll keep sharing updates here as this develops. If you have questions or concerns about battery storage, see Battery Fire Safety and What It Is, or contact us directly.