On Jan. 16, one of the world’s largest lithium-ion battery plants at Moss Landing, California burst into flames, forcing the evacuation of 2,000 residents. A lawsuit has been filed by citizens against the battery systems owner, charging that the company failed to implement adequate safety measures despite previous incidents at the facility. That lithium ion battery fire continues to flare up a month later.

Last May, Wendell citizens voted 100-1 to adopt a general bylaw to protect the town from industrial-size lithium battery plants. The state attorney general has rejected this bylaw and a similar one voted for by the citizens of Shutesbury.

Last July, the Wendell Select Board sent a letter to the attorney general explaining that town officials had a “solemn responsibility to protect the health, safety and welfare” of its citizens, in the face of the grave risks of thermal runaways of the kind now seen at Moss Landing. The extensive evidence of these dangers submitted to the AG’s office has been disregarded.

Massachusetts cities and towns have independent constitutional powers to protect the health, safety and welfare of their present and future inhabitants. But rather than protect citizens from unsafe technologies, the state is protecting the corporations that build these projects.

Our group, No Assault & Batteries, applauds Wendell and Shutesbury for filing appeals of the AG’s ruling on behalf of their residents and, by extension, citizens of Franklin County and beyond.

If you want to support our fight to stop industrial development on environmentally precious forests and wetlands, please support our legal defense fund. We have raised nearly $7,000 to support Wendell’s appeal. Please join us by making a contribution here: https://gofund.me/200fbc16.

Chris Queen

No Assault & Batteries Coordinating Committee, Wendell