Plans for a 100-megawatt lithium battery storage facility in Van Zandt County have been temporarily halted by a temporary restraining order issued by 294th District Court Judge Chris Martin. The facility, owned by a company based in Finland, is designed to store electricity generated from wind and solar power and release it to the grid as needed.
Van Zandt County petitioned the court for the restraining order, arguing that the developers have not complied with the fire safety standards set forth by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
The temporary restraining order will remain in effect for 14 days. Following this period, Van Zandt County officials intend to seek a permanent injunction from the same court to prevent the facility from operating until it demonstrates full compliance with NFPA fire codes.
