Oxford Residents Question “No-Risk” Lithium-Ion Battery Project in South-West Oxford
Oxford County, ON — Concerned residents of Oxford County are calling on Council to pause and reconsider approvals for the proposed Boralex / Canadian Solar Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) after a “risk assessment” presented to Council on October 8 reportedly claimed the project carried “no risk.”
“The idea that a massive industrial battery installation poses no risk is simply not credible,” said Marie Russell of Stand4Oxford. “There are known global incidents of fires, evacuations, and pollution linked to these systems. We need honesty—not marketing.”
The proposed facility would be built in South-West Oxford, directly across from a residential subdivision, raising questions about property values, insurance costs, and evacuation safety. Lithium-based battery fires can burn for hours and release toxic gases requiring large-scale response.
“This is not green energy,” added Maggie Hope Braun, ecosystems management technologist and author of the Request to Decline Boralex BESS Project – Council Brief. “These batteries are manufactured overseas, primarily in China, using high-impact mining and coal-fired power. There is no local manufacturing, no local energy supply, and no community benefit—only private profit and public risk.”
The residents’ independent brief argues that:
- The “no-risk” report presented to Council was inadequate and dismissive of public safety;
- The project offers no measurable local benefit and should not be located near homes;
- Oxford County should require full transparency on manufacturing, fire safety, and decommissioning before any planning approvals proceed.
“Oxford County wants to lead in sustainability—but leadership means stewardship,” said Braun. “That means protecting people and land first, not taking corporate assurances at face value.”
The full Council Brief has been submitted for inclusion on the next Council agenda under Correspondence.
