08/09/2025
US Congressman Chip Roy (R-District 21) whose district includes Gillespie County, demanded answers by August 15th from the CEO of Peregrine Energy about a battery energy storage system (BESS) being built in the county just 550 yards away from the Harper K-12 school.
According to Roy, hundreds of his constituents have voiced their concern about the facility to him and his staff. He provided a list of questions he wants answers to by the 15th of August.
Residents are concerned about the safety of the project because some BESS projects have been associated with fires and evacuations caused by toxic fumes. Rogers Draw, the name of the Harper site, is a 145 MW energy storage system that will draw energy from the Texas power grid during times of low demand and discharge that energy back to into the grid as needed during times of high demand. (One megawatt is equal to one million watts, a measure of output from power plants.)
On its website, Peregrine asserts that the battery types being used at the Harper Bess site are different and safer than those associated with fires and evacuations in California.
The text of the letter from Roy reads:
July 29, 2025
Mr. Hagen Lee, CEO & Founder Peregrine Energy
1495 Canyon Lake Blvd, Ste 235 Boulder, Colorado
Dear Mr. Lee:
I am writing to express serious concerns related to your company’s proposed energy storage facility in Harper, TX. Hundreds of constituents – including state and local elected officials – have voiced their frustrations and concerns about the project to both me and my staff.
As you may know, I represent Gillespie County and the surrounding area, which is a delicate Hill Country landscape that demands careful stewardship. Gillespie County is subject to extreme drought, wildfires, and flash flooding events. Naturally, residents of Gillespie County are concerned about the environmental risks a battery storage facility poses to one of most vulnerable areas in Texas, among other things.
Accordingly, I have several questions regarding the project. I would appreciate a written response to each question by August 15, 2025.
1. What is the nature, size, and scope of this project, and how does it compare to other projects in Texas or operated by your company, if any?
2. What power source does your company intend to use to charge the battery?
3. From where do you source your components? Are any components manufactured in the People's Republic of China, or by companies affiliated with China?
4. What is the chemical composition of the batteries you intend to install at your facility?
5. What is the utility and water usage footprint of the project? Are there any significant waste products? If so, how does your company plan to properly dispose of them?
6. Why did your company choose an unincorporated, historically drought-stricken location for this project?
7. Does the project have a fire contingency plan in place? Have you spoken with local fire departments about the risk posed by the project? Do you anticipate financially supporting local fire departments due to the increased fire risk posed by a battery storage project in a drought-stricken area?
8. Did this facility require any authorization or permits from Gillespie County or the State of Texas?
9. Do you currently receive or plan to apply for federal tax credits, funding, loans, or other forms of support? Do you intend to seek support provided by the Inflation Reduction Act for the project?
10. Do you currently receive or plan to apply for any financial support provided by the State of Texas or local entities?
I appreciate your attention to this important matter. I also welcome the opportunity to meet with you in person to discuss these matters, and I look forward to hearing back from you.
Sincerely, Chip Roy Member of Congress
Washington, D.C. – Representative Chip Roy (TX-21) questioned Peregrine Energy and requested specific details related to their proposed facility in Gillespie County.
