Van Zandt judge issues order stopping battery storage facility

CANTON – The 294th District Court Judge Chris Martin has issued a restraining order against Finnish company Taaleri Energia, who was preparing to build a battery storage facility in Van Zandt County.

According to out news partner KETK, Van Zandt County petitioned Martin’s court for a temporary restraining order against Taaleri Energia North America LLC., BT Amador Storage LLC., Amador Bess Holdings Inc., Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc. and Belltown Texas Power 2 LLC. for allegedly violating parts of the fire code. The court found that the evidence in Van Zandt County’s petition showed that the companies have violated the applicable fire code and have “threatened additional violations” at their battery storage facility work site at 32021 FM 47.

According to Van Zandt County Judge Andy Reese, the temporary order will last 14 days and then the county will have to apply for a permanent injunction that bars the companies from work until they comply with National Fire Protection Association codes.

The following temporary restraining order was issued by the court in order to prevent any additional violations:

“Any person or entity working in concert with or on behalf of Defendants are restrained and prohibited from moving into Van Zandt County, transporting within Van Zandt County, or storing in Van Zandt County lithium ion batteries designed for or intended to be used in a battery energy storage system.”

This order comes after the Van Zandt County Fire Marshall Kevin Palmer ordered Taaleri Energia to comply with all state fire codes in March. “It’s not because I didn’t like them. It’s really because they failed some test or because they weren’t up to standard,” Palmer said.

Taaleri Energia issued the following statement to KETK in response to Palmer’s order.

“Since September 2024, we have been working in close collaboration with the Van Zandt County Fire Marshal’s Office and will continue to do so,” Ville Rimali, investment director for Taaleri Energia said. “Project Amador fully complies with all applicable fire codes required by the State of Texas. We have received the request from the Van Zandt County Fire Marshal and will provide requested documentation to ensure compliance.”

The Van Zandt County Commissioners’ Court issued a press release on Thursday bestowing their support on the Van Zandt County District Attorney’s efforts in court.

“The Van Zandt County Commissioners’ Court bestows its full support and encouragement to the Van Zandt County District Attorney in seeking judicial authority to prevent the owners and developers of BT Amador Storage, LLC, and all other BESS entities, from delivering lithium-ion batteries to any site in Van Zandt County until such a time as the Van Zandt County Fire Marshal or the Court determines that all applicable NFPA Standards have been met.”
The Van Zandt County Commissioners’ Court