Babacomari Solar BESS Expansion

Thanked the board for holding corporations accountable and protecting local landscapes and Fort Huachuca's airspace.

Warned about untrested toxic hazards and lack of baseline environmental testing for massive battery facilities.

Criticized vague application details, missing safety sheets, and false hazardous material disclosures by renewable companies.

Noted that solar companies never disclose recycling plans for worn-out panels and energy benefits go to Tucson, not locals.

A career firefighter with 40 years experience warned of extreme fire danger, toxic explosions, and runoff threatening the San Pedro River.

Pointed out numerous application discrepancies, including noise impacts and disturbance to nocturnal wildlife.

Shared how her family chose Cochise County for its open land and heritage, urging the board to stop industrializing rural ranch land.

Expressed intense frustration over aquifer depletion, lack of local benefits, and outside corporate exploitation.

Cautioned that energy companies use phased strategies, starting with solar, adding BESS, and eventually building data centers.

Stated that the applicant was willing to lie by omission and harm firefighters, citizens, and national defense.

Argued that advancing BESS projects without statewide safety standards or NFPA-855 compliance constitutes government negligence.

Expressed concern that solar and BESS are stepping stones to water-guzzling data centers enabled by poor public notification.

Objected to big tech imposing infrastructure on rural communities without local benefit.

Urged the commission to stop industrial projects from destroying local soil, water, air, and future generations' homes.

Accused developers of deceit, requested a review of original permits, and called for a countywide moratorium on solar farms.

Shared concerns as an adjacent property owner whose land is traversed by the Babacomari about runoff, thermal runaway, and water exploitation.

Stated that none of his daily customers supported the project due to environmental dangers and noise.

A former military hazmat specialist warned of severe contamination risks and loss of scenic mountain views.

Argued that the project provides negligible local jobs, exports power to Tucson, and offers zero county tax benefit.