By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
Kathleen Malone-Crouch recently filed her letter of resignation from the Saline County Planning & Zoning board, after the Commissioner's supermajority vote to deny a proposed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
Malone-Crouch in her letter stated the planning commission worked "diligently" for two years to provide county policy on the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) submitted by Mountain Peak Energy Storage, LLC. for the BESS.
Read more: Access denied: Saline Co. Commissioners deny proposal of Battery Energy Storage System installment
She added the planning board members researched and "read a great deal" before approving the Mountain Peak CUP. Malone-Crouch in the letter brought up statistical research conducted by the Environment Texas Research and Policy Center, and the Electric Power Research Institute, which stated the BESS fires remain "low" as it has grown significantly nationwide, with Texas "not experiencing a fire" having more than 100 facilities.
Toward the end of the letter, she stated the reason for submitting her resignation was due to the "lack of support" for the Planning Commission from Saline County Commissioners. Ending with, "I hope that we will always have the power needed in Saline County since our governing board is not willing to provide for emergencies."
"They (Commissioners) are certainly entitled to their opinions, but I disagree with them," Malone-Crouch said. "I don't think they have the expertise they are claiming to have, because they are not the ones who did the hours, and hours, and hours of research the planning board members did."
The Saline County Planning board voted 8-0 on November 25, 2025 to recommend the proposed project to be presented to County Commissioners.
The Commissioners are fully aware of the letter and left comments about the resignation.
"I have no problem with Kathleen and that was her choice, but I went with what the people wanted," said Commissioner Joe Hay. "I did my research and this is what we came up with, with four of us who felt that was the way to go."
Commissioner Annie Grevas voiced the same stance as Hay and commented they did their research as well, which led them to the supermajority decision to deny the BESS.
With an open position for the Planning & Zoning board, there will soon be an opportunity for people to fill out an interest form if they wish to join. The Commission would have to appoint the person of interest during the consent agenda at one of the bi-weekly public meetings.
There is no anticipation for the Commissioners to discuss this certain topic on Tuesday's upcoming meeting.
Below you will find the letter of resignation by Kathleen Malone-Crouch:
Dear Mr. Hamilton,
I was very disappointed in the Saline County Commission’s vote to overturn the Planning Board approval of the Mountain Peak Conditional Use Permit for a Battery Energy Storage System that was based on hearsay and emotion.
According to the publication, Environment Texas Research and Policy Center, July 25, 2025, “Fires at BESS facilities are rare but possible, primarily due to thermal runaway (overheating). According to the Electric Power Research Institute, battery-related fires remain low, even as BESS capacity has grown significantly nationwide. Texas, for example, has not experienced a BESS fire despite having more than one hundred facilities. Modern BESS are equipped with comprehensive fire prevention management technologies, including fire suppression, ventilation, thermal monitoring, and remote shutdown protocols.”
For two years prior to the Saline County Planning Commission’s approval of this Conditional Use Permit, Planning Board Commissioners worked diligently to provide a county policy for such facilities. This policy was approved by the Saline County Board of Commissioners. Planning board members researched and read a great deal before approving the Mountain Peak Conditional Use Permit.
I am submitting my resignation from the Saline County Planning Board because of the lack of support for the Planning Commission from the Saline County Board of Commissioners. I hope that we will always have the power needed in Saline County since our governing board is not willing to provide for emergencies.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Malone Crouch