The Village of Pleasant Prairie Plan Commission voted on April 6, 2026, to send a positive recommendation to the Village Board for approval of zoning text amendments related to Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). The recommendation follows the March 2, 2026, adoption of Resolution 26-05, which initiated the review process.
Battery energy storage systems are utility-scale facilities that store electricity for later use and support the stability of the electric grid. The proposed ordinance defines these systems as electrochemical devices connected to the transmission grid with a capacity of 5 megawatts or greater and establishes where and how they may be developed within the Village.
The amendments do not approve a specific project. Instead, they establish regulations so that any future proposals are subject to clear standards and a public review process. Under the proposal, battery energy storage systems would only be considered in the M-4 Power Generating District and would require approval through a Conditional Use Permit, subject to review by the Plan Commission and the Village Board on a case-by-case basis.
The proposed standards address operational and safety considerations, including required noise studies to confirm compliance with Village regulations, preparation and ongoing review of a Hazard Mitigation Analysis and Emergency Response Plan, and compliance with national safety standards such as NFPA 855, which governs the design, installation, and operation of battery energy storage systems. The ordinance establishes setback requirements, including minimum distances of 100 feet from streets, 50 feet from side and rear property lines, 50 feet from natural waterways, and 25 feet from wetlands, prohibits placement in floodplains, and requires landscaping, security, monitoring, and maintenance provisions. Additional requirements include applicable approvals from the State of Wisconsin Public Service Commission, insurance if required, and financial assurance to ensure removal when no longer in operation.
The proposed amendments will be considered by the Village Board on April 13, 2026, as part of the formal approval process. Meeting information and materials are posted in advance and available at
pleasantprairiewi.gov/meetings.