Convergent Energy & Power has withdrawn its proposal to build a controversial lithium-ion battery storage facility in Rochester.
The move comes a month after the Thurston County Board of Commissioners affirmed special use permits for the proposed 5.4-megawatt lithium-ion battery energy storage system (BESS) at 7505 183rd Ave. SW in Rochester. The permits were granted March 9 by Thurston County Hearing Examiner Sharon A. Rice, who initially denied the permits Nov. 10 but changed her decision after Convergent appealed for reconsideration.
The special use permits were granted with a host of contingencies to address concerns around groundwater contamination and fire safety, including a requirement that Convergent had to submit adequate fire response and hazardous mitigation plans before the company could receive the necessary building permits for the project.
Thurston County Community Planning & Economic Development received Convergent’s application withdrawal request on June 26 and closed the project application the same day.
If Convergent chooses to pursue this project, or a similar one, in Thurston County in the future, the company is required to submit a new application.
Convergent first submitted its application for the Rochester BESS in October 2024.
The company did not immediately respond to the Thurston Chronicle’s request for comment.
Community members who opposed the project celebrated its end on social media, but renewed calls for Thurston County to issue a moratorium on new BESS projects until the county can implement specific guidelines for those developments.
