Harford County Battery Storage Project Faces Safety Debate

Maryland regulators are considering the 500-megawatt Oystercatcher battery storage project near Deer Creek in Harford County as part of a state program to expand grid-connected storage. County officials and nearby residents oppose the proposed hillside site, citing fire-response capacity, potential chemical releases, runoff, and impacts on Deer Creek. Developers and supporters say modern battery systems, safety planning, and storage capacity can strengthen grid reliability, shift use to lower-cost power, and reduce reliance on fossil-fuel peaker plants. The Public Service Commission must determine whether to approve, conditionally approve, or reject qualifying projects under the Next Generation Energy Act.