Jefferson County commissioners have taken a step toward bringing utility-scale battery energy storage to Madras, approving a site control agreement for a proposed battery storage project and clearing the way for a feasibility study to begin.
The action, reported this week, marks the county's most concrete move yet toward diversifying its energy infrastructure and potentially capturing economic benefit from Central Oregon's growing clean energy sector.
What a Site Control Agreement Means
A site control agreement is a preliminary legal arrangement that gives a developer the right to conduct studies and environmental assessments on a piece of land without requiring full purchase or commitment to construction. In the energy development world, it's an essential step before a project can apply for state or federal permits.
By approving the agreement, the Jefferson County commissioners are signaling support for the feasibility phase — not a final construction decision. County leaders emphasized that the agreement allows the study to proceed while the community and elected officials assess the project's viability and impacts.
Why Battery Storage Matters for Jefferson County
Jefferson County sits in a region with significant solar resources and is already home to multiple solar farms. Battery energy storage complements solar generation by storing excess power during peak production hours and releasing it when demand is high or generation is low.
For a rural county with a single primary transmission corridor and limited grid redundancy, local battery storage can also improve reliability — reducing the risk of outages during extreme weather events or when regional transmission is stressed.
Economically, utility-scale energy projects can generate significant property tax revenue for rural counties, providing funding for schools, roads, and emergency services without raising rates on residents.
Oregon's Energy Facility Siting Process
Larger battery storage projects in Oregon must go through the Oregon Department of Energy's Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC) process if they exceed certain capacity thresholds. A preliminary Application for Site Certificate triggers a comprehensive review that includes state, local, and tribal government input.
The Deschutes Solar and Battery Energy Storage System project — a separate but related proposal — is currently under review with ODOE after submitting a preliminary application in January 2026, suggesting growing interest in battery-integrated energy projects across the region.
What's Next
The feasibility study enabled by the Jefferson County site control agreement will examine technical, environmental, and economic factors. Results will inform whether the project proceeds to formal permitting. The Madras Bulletin will continue to follow this story as the feasibility process unfolds and more details become available.