As Orrick voters prepare to decide whether to annex property associated with the proposed White Sage Energy Center, concerns surrounding the battery storage project have returned to the Ray County Commission.

Orrick Fire Chief Kelly Bilton recently spoke with commissioners, providing an update on the proposed project, raising concerns about its potential impact on the community and questioning the way the county might prepare for similar developments in the future.

“First of all, I’m here as a citizen. I’m not here as the fire chief,” said Bilton. “Let’s make that perfectly clear.”

Orrick voters will be asked in November whether the city should annex approximately 107 acres along Highway Z. The proposed ballot language identifies the land as parcel No. 13-0726-00-000-004.00 and describes the property as being in Section 26, Township 51, Range 29 in Ray County, with several portions excepted from the legal description. According to the proposed ballot language provided by commissioners, a …