Oakham BEST Committee Confirms Intervener Filing, Prepares for EFSB Battery Storage Hearing

OAKHAM -- October 15, 2025, Oakham's BEST Committee finalized legal and logistical preparations for an Energy Facilities Siting Board public hearing on a proposed 180-megawatt battery energy storage facility, scheduled for October 16 at the town school. Meeting Wednesday at 6:32 p.m. and approving September 29 minutes 5-0, the committee reported that Town Counsel, who has prior EFSB experience, confirmed he is preparing the town's intervener status filing ahead of an October 30 deadline, with KP Law already reviewing planning board documents submitted to the docket. Planning Board Chair Phil said he had uploaded a four-page written opposition statement to the EFSB docket and registered to speak both as a planning board representative and as a resident. The committee identified a layered corporate structure behind the project, Moraga Energy Storage LLC, Rhineland Ventures, Rhineland Holdings, and a holding company, and warned that any community benefit agreement negotiated with Moraga could become unenforceable if the project is sold after permitting. The Ware River Watershed Advisory Council submitted a support letter to the docket; State Senator Becky Tepper's office told a committee member the senator's office considered the matter high priority. The committee's next meeting is set for October 22.