In a special meeting held Monday, March 24, the Churchill County Planning Commission voted 6–1 to approve a special use permit submitted by NNV Investments, LLC—operating under Redwood Materials—for the establishment of a hazardous materials storage site and battery explosion and combustion testing facility on Bango Road.
The application, which was tabled on March 12 due to concerns over safety and environmental risks, was reconsidered following a revised presentation by Redwood and the addition of new safety conditions.
More than a dozen Churchill County residents spoke in opposition to the project, raising concerns about the facility's proximity to water sources, including the Truckee Canal, the Hot Springs Reservoir, and the Carson River. Several residents cited fears of water contamination in the event of a lithium-ion battery fire, referencing past incidents at other facilities, such as the Moss Landing fire in Monterey County, California, which resulted in evacuations, air quality alerts, and an ongoing class-action lawsuit.
"Putting this near our farms, our water, and our homes is playing with fire," said Sherry Wideman, who owns property on Cadet Road. "Literally."
Other residents challenged the adequacy of local emergency response capabilities, pointing to the 20-minute average fire department response time to the Bango area and previous industrial fires that burned out of control.
Many attendees questioned the lack of broader notification to residents beyond a 3,000-foot radius. They shared skepticism over the proposed use of solar-powered lighting and AI-powered fire detection systems, which they argued were unproven or insufficient for such a high-risk operation.
Representatives from Redwood Materials, including project managers Don Tatro and Brad Mayhew, made a presentation outlining the facility's purpose and safety protocols. The 438-acre site will be used for two primary operations: outdoor storage of end-of-life batteries and a research and development center for testing battery safety and potential reuse.
Mayhew emphasized that batteries would be stored in DOT-compliant, fire-safe packaging arranged in 30-by-30-foot grids with a minimum of 15 feet between each stack to prevent fire propagation. Operations will include infrared thermal monitoring (FLIR cameras), AI-enhanced detection systems, and 24/7 on-site staffing with emergency response equipment, including 300-gallon water tanks and fire suppression foam.
In response to public and commission concerns, Redwood committed to 15 conditions which include maintaining two trained fire-response personnel on site at all times, spacing battery storage grids at least 15 feet apart, constructing a clay-lined water retention and containment pond, installing a microgrid-powered lighting system with redundancies, and collaborating with Churchill County Fire Department for joint training.
Redwood representatives stated they have not experienced any large-scale thermal events at their primary facility in the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center, noting that their internal detection systems have successfully prevented minor incidents from escalating.
While public sentiment was overwhelmingly against the facility, several commissioners pointed to the property's industrial zoning designation and Redwood's compliance with state and local requirements. Commissioner Joe Frey, who noted he lives near the site and has personally toured Redwood's TRI facility, acknowledged the community's fears but emphasized the importance of private property rights and responsible industrial development.
"I've flown over the facility, walked the site, and read the documents. They're not Bango Oil. They're not Safety-Kleen," said Frey, referencing past industrial mishaps in the area. "We need to hold them accountable, but we can't punish them for someone else's mistakes."
Commissioner Tammy Edgmon added that she, too, had reviewed the company's track record and found the proposed fire mitigation strategies credible.
The commission voted 6–1 to approve the application with an additional 15th condition mandating that at least two trained fire-response staff be on site 24/7. Commissioner Mark Hyde requested that the new 15-foot spacing requirement be codified as a formal condition, and county staff confirmed it would be enforced through site plan review.
A 10-day appeal period is now in effect. If no appeals are filed, the Planning Department will finalize the permit and oversee ongoing compliance, including drainage, water runoff, and hazardous materials containment plans.
Redwood has indicated that a potential third application—for constructing a solar energy system and accompanying battery storage—may be submitted in the future. Any future applications will require additional review by the commission and a new public comment period.
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